Bunker  Hill: 


THE  STORY  TOLD    IIST    LETTERS    FROM 
THE    BATTLE    FIELD 


BY  BRITISH  OFFICERS  ENaAQED, 


WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION  AND   SKETCH  OF  THE    BATTLE, 


BY 

SAMUEL   ADAMS   DRAKE, 

AUTHOR  OF   "  OLD   LANDMARKS  OF  BOSTON,"    "  HISTORIC   FIELDS  AND    MANSIONS 

OF    MIDDLESEX,"     "  NOOKS    AND    CORNERS    OF    THE 

NEW    ENGLAND    COAST,"    ETC. 


•M»oi*ic 


BOSTON: 

NICHOLS    AND     HALL. 

1875. 


Copyright. 

Samuel  Adams  Deake. 

1875. 


Cambridge : 
Press  of  John  Wilson  and  Son. 


TO 

THE    BRAYE    MEN 

WHOSE     VALOR,     PATRIOTISM,    AND    DEVOTION 

HAVE    RENDERED    THE 

SACRIFICES    OF    THEIR   FATHERS 
NOT   UNAVAILING. 


225838 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

Introduction * 7 

The  Battle .15 

II.     The  Share  of  the  4th,  or  King's  Own,  Eegiment  23 

III.  Record  of  the  52d,  Oxfori3shire  Light  Infantry  25 

IV.  Account  of  Adjutant  Waller,  Royal  Marines  .  28 
V.     The    Royal    Marines    at    Bunker    Hill     ...  31 

VI.     The  Royal  Artillery    „             „            „    ....  35 

VII.     Account  of  Captain  Harris,  of  the  5th  Foot    .  37 

VIII.     General  Burgoyne's  Letter  to  Lord  Stanley    .  39 
IX.     Clarke's   Narrative    of   the    Battle  fought  on 

the  17tii  of  June,  1775,  &c 42 

X.     Battle  of  Bunker  Hill 60 

XI.     The  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  :  a  Poem     ....  62 

XII.     Organization  of  the  Royal  Marines 74 


INTEODIJCTION. 


"Borne  over  the  Atlantic,  to  the  closing  ear  of  Louis,  King  by  the 
grace  of  God,  what  sounds  are  these ;  muffied,  ominous,  new  in  our 
centuries  ?  Boston  Harbor  is  black  with  unexpected  Tea ;  behold  a  Penn- 
sylvanian  Congress  gather;  and  ere  long,  on  Bunker  Hill,  Democracy  an- 
nouncing, in  rifle-volleys  death-winged,  under  her  Star  Banner,  to  the  tune 
of  Yankee-doodle-doo,  that  she  is  born,  and,  whirlwind-like,  will  envelop 
the  whole  world  !  "  —  Carlyle. 

THE  story  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  has  been 
told  until  it  has  become  more  familiar  to  American 
readers  than  Marathon  or  Waterloo.  No  subsequent 
field  of  the  War  for  Independence  possesses  an  equal 
interest  with  this  first  and  fiercest  grapple  for  the  mas- 
tery. The  unparalleled  audacity  of  the  seizure  of  the 
heights  of  Charlestown,  in  the  presence  of  a  numerous 
and  powerful  army  and  fleet ;  the  unflinching  firmness 
with  which  the  Americans  awaited  the  attack ;  the  ter- 
rible loss  inflicted  on  the  enemy,  unexampled  on  any 
later  battle-field  of  the  Revolution ;  and,  finally,  the 
curious  spectacle  of  undisciplined  yeomanry,  without  a 
leader  known  and  respected  as  such,  contesting  with 
a  veteran  army  and  experienced  officers,  are  marked 
features  that  at  once  suggest  themselves  to  the  student 
of  the  battle,  and  have  rendered  it  for  all  time  a  memor- 
able deed  of  arms. 

The  achievement  of  a  century  since  that  day  offers  a 
fitting  occasion  for  the  publication  of  materials  that  have 


8  BUNKER    HILL. 

hitherto  slumbered  in  the  archives  of  British  regiments 
engaged  on  the  field  of  Bunker  Hill,  —  so  long  remem- 
bered for  the  carnage  in  their  ranks,  —  the  mournful 
theme  of  many  a  camp-fire  during  the  war.  These 
fragments  that  have  hitherto  escaped  the  research  of 
historians  of  the  battle,  constitute  the  only  apology  the 
author  has  to  offer  for  the  appearance  of  his  pages  as  a 
memorial  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary.  The  sketch 
of  the  battle  itself  will  have  fulfilled  its  purpose  in  re- 
freshing the  recollections  of  the  reader.  Author  and 
reader  are  now  too  far  removed  from  the  event  to  feel 
either  lingering  vindictiveness  toward  the  enemy  of  a 
century  ago,  or  to  be  influenced  by  local  prejudices 
in  awarding  full  honor  where  it  is  due. 

At  the  time  of  the  battle  Boston  and  Charlestown 
occupied  two  jutting  peninsulas,  widely  separated  at 
their  junction  with  the  mainland,  but  approaching  at 
their  extremities  within  less  than  half  a  mile  of  each 
other.  The  river  Charles  flows  between  them,  while 
the  Mystic  separates  Charlestown  from  the  northern 
shores  of  Boston  harbor.  Both  streams  are  navigable 
for  large  vessels  a  few^  miles  up.  The  surface  of  both 
peninsulas  is  broken  into  hills  of  no  great  elevation,  — 
those  of  Charlestown  terminating  the  range  approach- 
ing from  the  direction  of  Cambridge,  w^hich  became  the 
American  line  of  investment  after  the  battle.  The 
topographical  features  of  Boston  and  Charlestown  have 
undergone  important  changes  by  the  expansion  incident 
to  a  great  city,  and  have,  in  a  measure,  lost  their  penin- 
sular character.  No  vessel  can  now  approach  the  an- 
chorage from  which  a  British  frigate  once  cannonaded 
Charlestown  Neck  wdth  such  destructive  effect.  The 
battle-ground  of  Breed's  Hill  is,  with  the  exception  of 
a  small  open  space  about  the  monument,  on  its  summit, 


INTRODUCTION.  V 

compactly  built  upon  ;  still,  at  Charlestown,  enough  is 
remaining  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  battle. 

Mr.  Froude,  on  his  return  to  England,  mentioned  to 
an  American  friend,  that  when  at  Boston  he  had  not 
been  able  to  find  any  one  who  could  tell  him  the  origin 
of  the  name  of  "  Bunker,"  applied  to  the  ever-memor- 
able hill.  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  the  direc- 
tion of  his  research.  The  name  is  from  George  Bun- 
ker, an  early  land-owner  in  Charlestown ;  that  of  Breed 
having  a  similar  origin. 

Boston  was  commanded  on  the  north  and  south  by 
the  heights  of  Charlestown  and  Dorchester  peninsulas. 
The  possession  of  either  was  sufficient  to  render  it  un- 
tenable.^ Generals  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  after 
their  arrival  in  Boston,  deemed  it  indispensable  to  oc- 
cupy both  positions  ;  and  in  concert  with  General  Gage, 
then  commanding  in  chief,  had  actually  planned  the 
seizure  of  Dorchester  Heights  on  the  eighteenth  of 
June,  when  they  were  anticipated  by  the  appearance  of 
rebel  earthworks  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  town.  It 
is  credible  that  the  Americans  had  early  intelligence  of 
the  intention  of  the  British  general,  and  that  the  move- 
ment on  Charlestown  was  a  counter-stroke  ;  if  so,  it  was 
Avell  conceived,  and,  so  far  as  depended  on  the  provincial 
militia,  was  well  executed.  With  the  admission,  under 
the  hand  of  General  Burgoyne,  that  Dorchester  Heights 
were  the  weak  point  of  the  British  position,  it  is  in- 
conceivable that  they  should  have  remained  for  ten 
months  afterwards  unoccupied,  or  until  Washington 
opened  his  batteries  there  in  March,  1776. 

*  Dorchester  had  the  more  important  bearing  to  the  British,  as  it  com- 
manded the  inner  harbor,  and  of  course  covered  their  shipping;  Charlestown 
was  preferred  by  the  Americans,  because  more  accessible  from  their  centre 
at  Cambridge. 

2 


10  BUNKER    HILL. 

If  the  Americans  really  meant  to  offer  battle  with  the 
hope  of  deciding  the  fate  of  Boston,  —  and  on  no  other 
hypothesis  can  the  movement  on  Charlestown  be  ex- 
plained,—  it  was  an  exhibition  of  singular  hardihood. 
They  had  no  officers  capable  of  leading  large  bodies 
of  troops.  They  had  numbers  and  courage  without 
discipline  or  mobility,  although  they  were  nominally  in 
regiments  and  battalions.  All  their  experience  of  actual 
service  had  been  gained  between  the  nineteenth  of  April 
and  the  seventeenth  of  June.  As  soon  as  dislodged 
from  their  first  position  on  Breed's  Hill,  they  were  de- 
feated. Three  times  the  English  officers  rallied  their 
men  under  fire;  and  led  them  back  to  the  assault.  Had 
the  provincials  possessed  such  training,  they  would  easily 
have  won  the  day,  by  forming  a  second  line  on  Bunker 
Hill :  the  numbers  that  moved  uselessly  about  the  field 
were  probably  more  than  enough  to  have  decided  the 
battle. 

The  British  remained  masters  of  the  ground,  and  justly 
claimed  the  victory.  Measured  by  its  results,  it  was  the 
dearest  bought  and  barrenest  victory  of  the  war,  — 
perhaps  of  any  war.  The  conquerors  remained  more 
closely  besieged  than  before.  Their  losses  forbade  the 
execution  of  any  movement  to  raise  the  blockade. 
Their  situation  was  little  improved  by  the  fortification 
of  Bunker  Hill,  and  the  joy  of  success  was  embittered 
by  the  reflection  that  it  need  not  have  cost  a  single  life 
or  a  charge  of  gunpowder. 

The  order  to  intrench  on  Bunker  Hill  was  explicit; 
yet,  on  arriving  there,  by  the  advice  of  Gridley,  the  en- 
gineer, and  probably  also  of  Putnam,  Prescott  moved 
on  and  broke  ground  at  Breed's  Hill,  a  little  nearer 
Boston.  It  could  have  made  little  difference  to  the 
English  general  which  hill  was  fortified.     Either  com- 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

manded  Boston  on  the  north  and  west ;  and  the  same 
reasons  that  impelled  him  to  attack  the  one  were 
equally  strong  with  respect  to  the  other.  Bunker  Hill 
was  the  higher  of  the  eminences,  but  Breed's  Hill  was 
by  far  the  best  position.  It  had  the  town  of  Charlestown 
on  its  right,  which  might  have  been  filled  with  troops, 
and  where,  in  fact,  an  irregular  defence  was  maintained, 
until  it  was  burned  by  the  enemy.  On  its  slopes  were  the 
stone  walls,  rail-fences,  and  orchards,  that  were  used  to 
such  terrible  purpose.  The  ground  between  it  and  the 
British  landing-place  was  obstructed  by  other  fences,  a 
morass,  and  brick-kilns.  These  natural  obstacles  were 
more  formidable  than  the  redoubt.  They  broke  the 
British  advance,  and  in  and  about  the  brick-kilns  the 
enemy's  loss  was  particularly  severe.  The  stone  and 
rail-fences,  filled  between  with  hay,  proved  the  impregna- 
ble point  of  the  American  line.  The  British,  after  being 
twice  repulsed,  and  with  horrible  carnage  of  the  choicest 
troops  on  the  field,  abandoned  the  effort  to  carry  it.  It 
was  the  last  portion  of  their  line  held  by  the  provincials, 
and  covered  their  retreat. 

The  mistake  of  the  day  appears  to  have  been  the 
omission  to  throw  up  some  defences  on  Bunker  Hill. 
Putnam,  who  seems  to  have  appreciated  the  importance 
of  a  supporting  line  to  raw  militia,  exerted  himself  to 
little  purpose  for  this  end.  The  w^ak  point  of  the 
American  position  was  the  narrow  isthmus  over  which 
the  troops  marched  in  their  advance  to  and  retreat  from 
the  peninsula.  It  was  owing  to  the  exhaustion  of  the 
British  general  and  army  that  it  did  not  become  the 
slaughter-pen  of  the  field.  The  passage  of  this  isthmus, 
under  broadsides  from  the  enemy's  shipping,  by  provin- 
cials coming  to  reinforce  their  line,  is  perhaps  the  re- 
markable feature  of  this  extraordinary  battle. 


12  BUNKER    HILL. 

Had  the  generalship  on  the  American  side  equalled 
the  individual  courage,  there  can  he  little  doubt  the 
history  of  Bunker  Hill  would  have  had  a  different  read- 
ing. General  Ward,  after  launching  his  offensive  blow, 
seems  to  have  lacked  the  energy  and  decision  to  follow 
it  up  with  the  last  available  man  and  musket.  His  blow 
was  but  half  delivered.  He  professed,  it  is  said,  to  be- 
lieve his  own  camp  at  Cambridge  in  danger ;  and,  after 
having  invited  a  battle,  fell  back  upon  the  defensive. 

The  numbers  on  either  side  were  about  equal,  and 
fluctuated  during  the  day  between  two  and  three  thou- 
sand men.  Probably  not  more  than  fifteen  hundred 
Americans  manned  the  lines  at  any  one  time  during  the 
engagement.  There  was  much  idle  marching  and  coun- 
termarching, indecision,  and  some  cowardice  behind 
them ;  yet  the  valor,  endurance,  and  heroic  constancy 
of  that  day  have  never  been  surpassed  since  arms  were 
first  borne  by  men. 

At  the  time  of  the  battle,  the  British  force  in  Boston 
consisted  of  the  following  regiments  and  parts  of  regi- 
ments, besides  six  companies  of  royal  artillery  and 
two  battalions  of  marines ;  the  Avhole  numbering,  prob- 
ably, six  thousand  effective  men.  Some  of  these  corps 
were  the  very  elite  of  the  army.  These  were  the  4th, 
or  Plodgson's  (King's  Own)  ;  5th,  Percy's  ;  10th,  Sand- 
ford's  ;  18th,  or  Koyal  Irish  (three  companies);  22d, 
Gage's ;  23d,  Howe's  (Welsh  Fusileers) ;  35th,  F.  H. 
Campbell's ;  38th,  Pigot's ;  43d,  Cary's  (Monmouth- 
shire Light  Infantry) ;  47th,  Carleton's ;  52d,  Claver- 
ing's  (Oxfordshire  Light  Infantry) ;  63d,  Grant's  ;  65th, 
Urmston's  (two  companies).  The  marching  regiments 
for  the  American  service  consisted  of  twelve  companies, 
and  each  company  mustered  fifty-six  effective  rank  and 
file.  Two  companies  of  each  regiment  were  usually  left 
at  home  on  recruiting  service. 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

These  troops  were  in  barracks  or  intrenched  camps 
on  Boston  Common,  the  Neck  communicating  with  the 
mainland,  Fort  Hill  on  the  east,  Copp's  Hill  on  the 
north,  and  Beacon  Hill  on  the  west,  of  the  town.  A 
battery  had  been  erected  on  Copp's  Hill,  commanding 
Charlestown,  and  strong  works  had  also  been  carried 
across  the  Neck  in  the  vicinity  of  where  are  now  Ded- 
ham  and  Canton  Streets.  No  troops,  except,  perhaps, 
those  of  Frederick  the  Great,  could  dispute  the  claim 
of  the  British  infantry  of  that  day  to  be  considered  the 
first  in  Europe,  and  the  regiments  now  serving  in  Boston 
were  the  choicest  troops  that  army  could  muster. 

The  general  organization  and  morale  of  the  provincial 
forces  have  been  touched  upon.  The  headquarters  were 
at  Cambridge,  with  a  corps  under  General  John  Thomas, 
cantoned  at  Roxbury,  in  order  to  observe  the  enemy, 
or  check  an  advance  by  land.  General  Ward  held  the 
nominal  command,  but  all  operations  were  directed  by 
a  junto  called  the  Committee  of  Safety,  whose  orders 
were  final.  Some  defensive  works  had  been  begun  in 
the  American  centre,  and  towards  their  left. 

It  is  not  believed  that  any  flag  was  displayed  by  the 
provincial  forces  at  Bunker  Hill.  No  British  account  of 
the  battle  mentions  any  ;  and  yet  it  would  have  been 
the  first  thing  to  which  the  attention  of  a  soldier  would 
have  been  directed.  If  a  British  color  had  been  seen 
flying  within  the  American  lines,  the  fact  would  have 
been  little  likely  to  escape  remark ;  and  if  any  other 
flag  had  been  flying  there,  its  peculiarity  would  have 
attracted  the  curious  observation  of  the  whole  British 
army.  It  is  safe,  therefore,  in  the  absence  of  direct 
proof  to  the  contrary,  to  declare  that  no  flag  was  un- 
furled by  the  Americans  on  that  day,  and  that  the  "  Star 
Banner  "  of  Mr.  Carlyle  yet  hung  high  in  the  heavens. 


14  BUNKER   HILL. 

The  representation  of  the  battle  in  the  frontispiece 
is  a  heliotype  reproduction  of  a  very  rare  English  print, 
published  in  London  in  1781.  The  accuracy  of  some  of 
its  details  may  be  questioned,  and  the  configuration  of  the 
battle-ground  is  suggestive  of  Gibraltar,  rather  than 
Bunker  Hill.  Its  general  features,  however,  betray  a 
tolerably  authentic  paternity,  and  it  may  have  been 
copied  from  some  rough  sketch  made  on  the  spot. 

The  narrative  of  the  battle  by  ''  John  Clarke,"  who 
styles  himself  "  first  lieutenant  of  marines,"  has  been 
quoted,  but  is  now  given  in  full,  and  as  an  appropriate 
pendant  to  the  other  British  accounts.  It  is  not  in- 
dorsed as  authority.^  The  accounts  of  Lord  Harris, 
and  General  Burgoyne's  letter  to  Lord  Stanley,  are  now 
also  printed  in  full,  as  the  relations  of  eye-witnesses. 


^  No  such  name  appears  in  tbe  roster  of  the  marine  battalions,  as  given 
in  their  records  ;  nor  in  the  list  of  promotions  after  the  battle.  Other  inac- 
curacies render  it  doubtful  if  Clarke  served  in  the  horse  or  foot.  His  nar- 
rative possesses,  however,  a  curious  interest,  as  a  production  of  the  same 
year  with  the  battle. 

The  second  edition,  which  is  given  in  the  text,  was  printed  in  London  in 
1775,  and  is  entitled  "An  Impartial  and  Authentic  Narrative  of  the  Battle 
fought  on  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  between  His  Britannic  Majesty's  Troops 
and  the  American  Provincial  Army,  on  Bunker's  Hill,  near  Charlestown,  in 
New  England."  It  is  the  only  account  (X)ntaining  the  address  of  Howe  to 
Lis  troops. 


THE    BATTLE. 


ON  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  the 
mhabitants  and  garrison  of  Boston  were  aroused 
by  a  heavy  cannonade.  The  cause  of  the  firing  was 
soon  apparent.  A  large  body  of  provincial  militia  was 
plainly  seen,  from  the  house-tops  and  eminences  of 
Boston,  busily  at  work  intrenching  on  Breed's  Hill,  in 
Charlestown.  This  discovery  had  first  been  made  at 
daybreak,  from  the  ships  of  war  lying  in  the  stream, 
one  of  which  had  opened  her  batteries  upon  the  adven- 
turous workmen.  The  firing  was  soon  augmented  by 
the  broadsides  of  other  ships,  and  by  a  battery  of  field 
guns  on  Copp's  Hill,  the  nearest  point  to  the  hostile 
works  on  the  Boston  side  of  Charles  liiver.  The  Amer- 
icans, however,  pursued  their  labor  with  unremitting 
diligence,  regardless  of  the  shower  of  cannon-shot 
directed  against  them. 

General  Gage  immediately  called  the  superior  ofiicers 
of  his  troops  together,  in  council.  It  was  agreed  that  the 
Americans  must  be  expelled  from  their  position,  but  a 
discussion  of  the  proper  plan  of  attack  elicited  two  con- 
flicting opinions.  Some  of  the  ofiicers  ^  approved  of 
landing  at  Charlestown  Neck,  seizing  the  communica- 

'  General  Clinton  among  others ;  and,  by  implication,  Howe  and  Bur- 
goyne,  as  the  latter  says,  in  his  account  of  the  battle,  he  and  his  colleagues 
never  differed  an  iota  in  the  military  plans. 


1 6  BUNKER    HILL. 

tion  between  the  provincials  and  their  main  body,  and 
taking  their  works  in  reverse.  General  Gage,  for  various 
reasons,  preferred  an  attack  in  front,  and  orders  were 
issued  to  prepare  for  it.  Ten  companies  of  light 
infantry,  ten  of  grenadiers,  the  5th,  38th,  43 d,  and  5 2d 
regiments,  and  some  companies  of  the  royal  artillery, 
were  ordered  under  arms.  Twelve  pieces  of  artillery 
were  to  accompany  the  attacking  force,  which  a  very 
moderate  estimate  fixes  at  two  thousand  men.^  General 
Howe,  next  in -rank  to  General  Gage,  was  ordered  to 
take  the  command. 

These  troops  embarked  about  noon  in  two  divisions^ 
protected  by  a  tremendous  fire  from  the  shipping,  and 
landed  without  opposition  at  Moulton's  (or  Morton's) 
Point,  near  the  head  of  the  present  Chelsea  Bridge. 
Many  an  eye  that  glanced  curiously  at  the  embank- 
ments crowning  the  heights  above  them,  before  night- 
fall was  glazed  in  death.  Bouillon  and  Collingwood, 
of  subsequent  naval  renown,  were  in  the  boats,  assisting 
in  transporting  the  troops. 

General  Howe  formed  his  troops  where  he  landed,  in 
three  lines,  each  having  a  front  of  two  regiments  :  the 
grenadiers  and  light  infantry  occupied  the  first,  the  38th 
and  5th  the  second,  the  52d  and  43d  the  third  line, 
counting  from  left  to  right ;  the  artillery  was  posted  in 
front.  Howe  then  reconnoitred,  and,  obtaining  a  juster 
idea  of  the  strength  of  the  American  position,  caused  his 
troops  to  rest  and  eat  their  dinners  on  the  ground  where 
they  stood,  while  he  sent  back  to  Boston  a  request  for 
reinforcements.     The  Americans   continued  to   ply  the 

*  The  regiments  engaged  should  be  counted  as  having  only  eight  com- 
panies, the  two  flank  companies  of  each  being  included  with  the  twenty  of 
light  infantry  and  grenadiers,  on  the  field.  The  companies  did  not,  prob- 
ably, average  fortv  men  fit  for  duty. 


THE    BATTLE.  17 

spade  until  the  British  had  landed,  when  they  laid  aside 
their  intrenching  tools  and  prepared  for  the  coming 
conflict. 

Since  midnight  of  the  sixteenth,  the  Americans  had 
thrown  up  a  redoubt  of  about  eight  rods  square,  and  an 
embankment  on  its  left  flank,  extending  about  a  hundred 
yards  toward  the  Mystic.  This  work  had  been  per- 
formed by  a  thousand  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut 
men,  commanded  by  Colonel  William  Prescott.  Ex- 
hausted by  the  incessant  toil  of  nearly  twelve  hours, 
these  men,  nevertheless,  under  the  example  of  their 
indomitable  leader,  endured  to  the  end  the  greater 
ordeal  of  the  battle. 

Before  the  action  began,  the  Americans  completed 
their  line  to  the  Mystic  by  occupying  a  low  stone-wall, 
having  wooden  rails  above,  situated  near  the  base  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  two  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the 
redoubt.  This  protection  they  strengthened  with  the 
rails  of  other  fences,  heaping  the  space  between  with 
the  new-mown  hay  then  lying  in  mounds  on  the  field. 
The  Connecticut  militia  under  Knowlton,  and  New 
Hampshire  troops  of  Stark  and  Eeed,  with  some  Massa- 
chusetts men,  defended  this  rustic  breastwork  with  equal 
gallantry  and  success.  They  had  here  two  light  six- 
pounders,  which  made  terrible  practice  later  in  the  day. 
The  American  front  was  now  substantially  complete, 
except  in  the  interval  between  the  breastwork  and  the 
stone-wall,  which  was  occupied  by  such  slight  natural 
obstacles  as  trees  and  fences,  but  presented  a  wide  gap 
in  the  line.  The  line  was  also  prolonged  on  the  right  of 
the  redoubt  by  defences  similar  to  those  improvised  on 
the  left. 

Both  sides  were  reinforced  before  the  battle  began  in 
earnest.     Colonels  Stark   and  Heed   had  come  on  the 

8 


18  BUNKER    HILL. 

field  with  their  New  Hampshire  regiments,  and  had 
taken  post  at  the  fence,  on  the  left.  Some  other  detach- 
ments had  also  joined,  and  General  Warren,  whose  pres- 
ence animated  the  Americans  with  new  courage,  came  to 
announce  the  speedy  arrival  of  other  reinforcements. 
At  Putnam's  suggestion  he  chose  the  redoubt  as  the  post 
of  honor,  and  having,  on  entering  it,  been  offered  the 
command  by  Prescott,  declined  it,  saying,  he  came  to 
act  the  part  of  a  good  soldier.  Pomeroy,  another  gen- 
eral officer,  also  reached  the  ground,  and  took  his  station 
at  the  rail-fence.  Putnam  was  there  and  everywhere, 
making  the  efforts  of  a  Hercules  to  ensure  the  success 
of  the  day.  Frye  and  Nixon  and  Grid  ley  had  seen  ser- 
vice at  Louisburg,  and  knew  what  fighting  meant. 

Howe's  request  had  been  promptly  answered  by  send- 
ing him  the  47th  regiment,  the  first  marine  battalion,  and 
some  additional  companies  of  light-infantry  and  grena- 
diers. These  troops  landed  near  the  present  entrance 
to  the  Navy  Yard,  and  acted  under  the  orders  of  Colonel 
Nesbitt  of  the  47th.  Pitcairn  led  his  marines.  It  was 
now  three  in  the  afternoon,  and  both  combatants  were  as 
ready  as  they  were  likely  to  be. 

The  British  artillery  was  ordered  to  begin,  while  Howe 
deployed  his  troops  in  columns  of  attack.  The  light- 
infantry  moved  by  the  right  along  the  beach  of  Mystic 
Eiver.  It  was  ordered  to  turn  the  rail-fence  and  clear 
the  ground  behind  it.  The  grenadiers  marched  directly 
for  the  rail-fence  to  support  this  attack,  which  General 
Plowe  personally  superintended.  The  left  attack  was 
formed  of  all  the  other  regiments  enumerated,  advanc- 
ing in  line  along  the  American  front,  directing  their 
march  upon  the  breastwork  and  redoubt.  General 
Pigot  commanded  this  division.  Howe  expected  to 
break  through  the  American  left  and  assail  from  their 


THE    BATTLE.  19 

rear  the  troops  in  the  redoubt  and  breastwork.  If  he 
succeeded,  he  was  in  a  position  to  intercept  the  Ameri- 
cans' line  of  retreat,  and  to  envelop  them  with  his 
right.^  He  calculated  on  an  easy  victory ;  but  the  rail- 
fence  was  never  taken  until  the  loss  of  the  redoubt  and 
breastwork  rendered  it  untenable. 

The  British  guns  advanced  and  opened  fire  at  about 
half-past  three  o'clock,  followed  by  the  troops,  who 
moved  slowly  forward,  and  occasionally  halted,  in  order 
to  allow  the  artillery  to  make  some  impression.  The 
day  was  very  fine  and  very  warm,  and  the  attacking 
columns  were  encumbered  with  full  marching  equip- 
ments. They  had  occasionally  to  pull  down  fences  in 
their  way,  and  the  grass,  high  and  fit  for  mowing,  also 
impeded  them.  In  the  soft  ground,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  brick-kilns,  some  of  the  guns  became  unable  to 
advance,  and  were  halted.  British  accounts  say  their 
troops  received  here  a  very  destructive  fire. 

Arriving  within  musket-shot  of  the  American  works, 
the  troops  commenced  firing,  receiving  in  return  only  a 
few  scattering  shots,  until  they  came  within  about  seventy 
yards.  The  provincials  had  been  ordered  all  along  their 
line  to  reserve  their  fire  until  they  could  see  the  white 
of  their  enemies'  eyes.  The  troops,  though  doubting 
what  this  ominous  silence  might  mean,  continued  to 
sweep  the  ramparts  with  their  musketry,  and  to  advance. 
When  the  English  battle-line  crossed  the  fatal  boundary, 
already  determined,  a  sonorous  voice  within  the  redoubt 
cried  out,  '•  Fire  !  " 

'  Burgoyne  pronounced  Howe's  dispositions  perfect ;  other  British  author- 
ities considered  them  faulty.  Had  he  succeeded  in  breaking  through  the 
American  line  at  the  rail-fence,  the  provincials  would  have  been 'obliged  to 
fight  in  the  open  field,  or  retreat  at  great  disadvantage,  with  the  enemy  be- 
tween ihem  and  Bunker  Hill.  The  British  commander's  error  was  more  in 
his  tactics  than  the  plan  of  battle. 


20  BUNKER    HILL. 

Then  began  that  terrible  fusilade,  which  so  many  have 
in  vain  attempted  to  describe.  A  bhize  ran  along  the 
whole  line  ;  the  hill  shook.  Like  the  leap  of  a  pent-up 
wave  of  fire  from  out  a  burning  building,  it  rolled  and 
surged  down  upon  the  English  line,  bursting  through 
and  overwhelming  it,  —  flashing  with  deadly  gleams, 
and  crested  with  battle-smoke.  Whole  companies  with- 
ered away.  Standards  sunk  out  of  sight,  and  ranks  of 
muskets  fell  from  nerveless  hands.  When  it  had  passed, 
a  broken  line  of  bewildered  men,  unable  to  advance, 
unwilling  to  fly,  stood  where  the  heaps  of  the  dead  and 
dying  were  more  than  the  groups  of  the  living.  Then 
the  bugles  sounded  the  recall,  and  they  retreated  to  the 
shore,  where  the  Americans'  exultant  hurrah  followed 
them. 

Both  divisions  were  repulsed  by  the  same  tactics, — 
the  same  cool  waiting  for  the  command  which  allow^ed 
deliberate  and  accurate  aim.  Every  muzzle  pointed  to 
its  victim  minutes  before  the  order  was  given  to  fire. 

British  valor  could  not  endure  defeat,  and  Howe, 
gathering  his  columns  together,  resolved  on  a  second 
efl'ort.  Charlestown  had  aff'orded  some  cover  to  provin- 
cial marksmen,  and  was  set  on  fire.  The  Americans,  who 
had  thus  far  suff'ered  little  loss,  were  exasperated  by 
the  sight.  Their  countrymen  were  anxiously  watching 
them  from  every  house-top  and  hill-side  that  commanded 
a  view  of  the  field.  The  roar  of  cannon,  the  musket 
volleys,  the  crackling  of  flames,  and  the  swathes  of  thick 
smoke,  hanging  above,  made  every  combatant  an  actor, 
in  a  theatre  such  as  few  lifetimes  have  witnessed. 

The  British  repeated  the  same  manoeuvre,  and  with 
the  same  result  as  before,  except  that  the  troops  were 
more  dispirited  at  their  want  of  success,  more  shaken 
by  the    appalling    slaughter.     This    was    not   fighting. 


THE    BATTLE.  21 

they  said,  but  downright  butchery.  Many  valuable 
officers  had  fallen,  and  with  them  a  third  of  the  num- 
bers that  had  first  obeyed  the  order  to  advance.  The 
desperate  situation  of  affairs  was  perceived  in  Boston. 
A  second  reinforcement  of  marines  was  sent  to  Howe, 
and  General  Clinton,  with  the  impulse  of  a  gallant 
soldier,  crossed  the  river  in  a  boat  and  placed  himself 
at  the  head  of  some  broken  battalions  to  take  part 
in  the  closing  scene.  This  was  the  critical  moment  of 
the  day. 

For  the  third  time  Howe  succeeded  in  rallying  and 
forming  his  gallant  little  army.  The  knowledge  gained 
in  the  previous  attacks  was  now  used  to  advantage.  The 
men  threw  off  their  knapsacks  and  the  officers  their 
blankets.  The  artillery  was  ordered  to  take  a  position 
to  enfilade  the  fatal  gap  between  the  breastwork  and 
rail-fence.  Howe  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  light 
infantry  and  grenadiers,  and  marched  against  the  breast- 
work. Clinton  and  Pigot  led  their  columns  against  the 
redoubt.  The  soldiers  were  ordered  to  move  at  a  quick 
step,  and  use  the  bayonet  only. 

The  British  artillery  soon  drove  the  defenders  of  the 
breastwork  into  the  redoubt.  Powder  had  become 
scarce ;  yet  the  provincials  awaited  with  the  same  calm- 
ness as  before  the  expected  onset.  One  deadly  volley 
shot  in  pieces  the  head  of  the  British  column,  and  stag- 
gered it ;  but  it  pressed  on  to  the  wall  of  the  work, 
flowed  over  the  rampart,  and  closed  in  hand-to-hand 
encounter  with  the  brave  garrison.  The  day  was  lost, 
though  the  Americans  still  contested  it  in  their  retreat. 
Warren  was  killed  and  left  on  the  field.  Putnam  and 
Prescott  and  Pomeroy  and  Stark  sullenly  gave  ground 
and  retired  as  the  enemy  advanced.  Howe,  having  now 
won  the  peninsula,  brought  one  of  his  shattered  regi- 


22  BUNKER    HILL. 

ments  to  the  front,  where  it  bivouacked.  Other  troops 
passed  the  weary  night  lying  on  their  arms,  or  throw- 
ing up  intrenchments  on  Bunker  Hill.  A  thousand 
and  more  of  the  flower  of  English  soldiery  lay  dead  or 
wounded  in  front  of  the  American  lines. 

At  Ave  o'clock  the  battle  was  over.  The  Americans, 
though  beaten  from  the  peninsula,  took  a  more  advanced 
position  than  any  they  had  yet  occupied.  They  lost  over 
four  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded,  but  had  met  and 
disputed  in  regular  battle  with  troops  who,  until  then, 
believed  themselves  invincible.  They  also  lost  five  of 
the  six  small  field  guns  which  they  took  into  action. 
From  this  day  the  head  of  a  British  column  was  never 
seen  on  the  shore  of  the  mainland,  and  the  contest  for 
the  possession  of  Boston  was  reduced  to  a  question  of 
artillery  practice. 


n. 


THE    SHARE    OF    THE    4th,    OR    KING'S    OWN, 
REGIMENT.i 


TOURING  the  night  of  the  16th  of  June  an  immense  body  of 
-■-^  provincials  proceeded  to  the  lieights  on  the  peninsula  of 
Charlestown,  called  Bunker's  Hill,  and  commenced  throwing 
up  intrenchments  with  great  diligence.  General  Gage  resolved 
to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  this  post  immediately  ;  and  a  body 
of  troops,  of  which  the  grenadier  and  light  companies  of  the 
"King's  Own"  formed  part,  was  embarked  in  boats  for  this 
purpose  about  mid-day  on  the  17th  of  June. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  attack  commenced, 
and  in  this  contest  British  valor  and  discipline  were  eminently 
displayed.  The  Americans  were  in  great  force,  strongly  posted, 
and  intrenched  up  to  the  teeth.  The  king's  troops  had  to  ad- 
vance in  a  hot  summer's  day,  in  the  face  of  a  sharp  and  well- 
directed  fire,  and  to  ascend  a  steep  hill  covered  with  grass 
reaching  to  their  knees,  and  intersected  with  walls  and  fences 
of  various  enclosures.  Twice  tliey  were  stopped,  and  twice  they 
returned  to  the  charge  ;  and  by  their  undaunted  resolution  and 
steady  perseverance  they  eventually  triuQi|)hed  over  thrice  their 
own  numbers,  and  carried  the  heights  at  the  point  of  the  bayo- 
net. This  proved  one  of  the  most  sanguinary  battles  on  record, 
and  the  superiority  of  the  British  troops  was  pre-eminently 
displayed.     The  two  flank  companies  of  the  King's  Own  had 

^  "Historical  Record  of  the  4th  Regiment  of  Foot." 


24:  BUNKER    HILL. 

one  Serjeant  and  thirteen  rank  and  file  killed ;  Captains  Bal- 
four and  West,  Lieutenants  Baron  and  Brown,  one  Serjeant, 
one  drummer,  and  twenty-nine  rank  and  file  wounded.^ 

^  This  regiment  has  a  remarkable  record.  It  has  fought  in  Africa,  Ire- 
land, the  Netherlands,  Spain,  Canada  (1711),  Scotland,  Belgium,  Havana 
(1762)  ;  the  American  "War,  from  Lexington  until  1778 ;  the  West  Indies, 
Nova  Scotia,  Holland,  Sweden,  Denmark,  the  Peninsular  War,  and  second 
war  with  America  (1812.)  It  was  at  the  taking  of  Washington,  and  at  New 
Orleans  it  lost  nearly  four  hundred  men.  The  regiment  was  twice  at  Bos- 
ton,—  first  in  1711,  under  Colonel  Seymour.  Charles,  Earl  of  Plymouth, 
a  natural  son  of  Charles  II.,  was  first  colonel ;  Piercy  Kirke  (Jeffrey's  execu- 
tioner) also  commanded  it ;  Studholme  Hodgson  was  colonel,  1768  to  1782, 
then  John  Burgoyne ;  and  in  the  War  of  1812,  John,  Earl  of  Chatham. 


THE  52D,  OXFORDSHIRE  LIGHT  INFANTRY.       25 


III. 


RECORD    OF    THE    52d,    OXFORDSHIRE    LIGHT 
INFANTRY. 


nr^HE  Americans  were  plainly  seen  at  work  throwing  up  in- 
-*-  trenchmcnts  around  the  hill,  and  preparations  were  at  once 
made  for  landing  a  body  of  men  to  dislodge  the  enemy  and 
take  possession  of  the  works.  Ten  companies  of  grenadiers, 
ten  of  light  infantry,  with  the  5th,  38th,  43d,  and  52d  regi- 
ments, with  a  proportion  of  field  artillery,  were  detailed  for 
this  service. 

Embarking  from  Boston  in  boats  about  noon  on  the  17th  of 
June,  the  troops  crossed  the  river,  and  landed  on  the  opposite 
shore,  where  they  formed  immediately  ;  the  light-infantry  being 
posted  on  the  right,  and  the  grenadiers  upon  their  left.  The 
5th  and  38th  drew  up  in  the  rear  of  those  corps,  and  the  43d 
and  52d  formed  a  third  line.  The  ships  of  war  opened  their 
fire  upon  the  enemy's  works,  and  the  troops  ascended  the  steep 
hill  and  advanced  to  storm  the  intrenchments.  The  approach 
to  the  hill  was  covered  witli  grass  reaching  to  the  knees,  and 
intersected  with  walls  and  fences  of  various  enclosures.  The 
difficult  ascent,  the  heat  of  the  weather,  and  tlie  superior 
numbers  of  the  enemy,  together  with  their  accurate  and  inces- 
sant fire,  made  the  enterprise  particularly  arduous.  The  light- 
infantry  were  directed  to  force  the  left  point  of  the  breastwork, 
to  take  the  enemy's  line  in  flank,  while  the  grenadiers  were  to 
attack  in  front,  supported  by  the  5th  and  52d  regiments. 
These  orders  were  executed  with  perseverance,  and,  notwith- 
standing the  numerous  impediments  offered,  the  enemy  was 
forced  from  his  stronghold  and  driven  from  the  peninsula, 
leaving  behind  five  pieces  of  cannon. 

4 


26  BUNKER    HILL. 

In  this  action  the  52d  particularly  distinguished  itself.  It 
suffered,  however,  severely ;  the  whole  of  the  grenadier  com- 
pany were  either  killed  or  wounded. 

The  late  General  Martin  Hunter,  who  was  present  as  an 
ensign  in  the  52d,  writes  in  his  journal :  "  The  grenadiers  and 
light  companies  (of  the  several  regiments  before  enumerated) 
attacked  the  breastworks  extending  from  the  Charlestown 
Heights  (or  Bunker  Hill)  redoubt  to  the  Mystic  River,  while 
the  remaining  companies  attacked  the  redoubt  itself.  Aljout 
one  hundred  yards  from  the  latter  they  were  stopped  by  some 
brick-kilns  and  enclosures,  and  exposed  for  some  time  to  the 
W'liole  of  its  fire  ;  and  it  was  here. that  so  many  men  were  lost. 
The  remains  of  the  52d  regiment  continued  at  the  advanced 
post  the  whole  of  the  night  after  the  battle ;  several  attacks 
were  made  on  them  during  the  night,  but  the  Americans  were 
constantly  repulsed." 

The  following  is  the  official  return  of  killed  and  wounded  on 
this  occasion :  Captains  Nicholas  Addison,  George  Amos 
Smith,  and  William  Davison,  one  serjeant,  and  twenty  rank 
and  file,  were  killed.  Major  Arthur  Williams,  who  was  speci- 
ally noticed  in  the  dispatch  from  General  Gage,  did  not  survive 
his  wounds.  Captain-lieutenant  Andrew  Neilson,  Lieutenants 
Henry  Crawfurd,  John  Thompson,  and  Robert  Harpur  Hig- 

gins.  Ensigns  the  Honorable  William  Chetwynd, Graeme, 

and  volunteer  Robert  John  Harrison,  and  seven  Serjeants  and 
seventy-three  rank  and  file,  were  wounded.  Lieutenant  Higgins 
died  on  the  24th  of  June.^ 

^  The  annals  of  tliis  regiment  present  some  interesting  souvenirs  of  the 
war.  The  52d  was  afterwards  in  the  attack  on  Fort  AVashington  (Hudson 
River).  General  Martin  Hunter,  who  was  present,  says  in  his  journal: 
"  The  light-infantry  embarked  at  King's  Bridge  in  flat-bottomed  boats,  and 
proceeded  up  the  East  River  ( ?)  under  a  very  heavy  cannonade.  They 
landed,  and  stormed  a  battery,  and  afterwards  took  possession  of  a  hill  that 
commanded  the  fort  (Washington).  Before  landing,  the  fire  of  cannon  and 
musketry  was  so  heavy  that  the  sailors  quitted  their  oars  and  lay  down  in 
the  bottom  of  the  boats ;  and  had  not  the  soldiers  taken  the  oars  and  pulled 
on  shore,  we  must  have  remained  in  this  situation."  The  52d  was  engaged  at 
Rhode  Island,  and  in  the  massacre  of  Wayne's  corps.  It  was  the  first  bat- 
talion attacked  at  Germantown.     When  retreating  before  the  furious  onset 


THE    52D,    OXFORDSHIRE    LIGHT    1^^FA^'TRY.  27 

of  Washington,  General  Howe  came  to  the  front  and  reproached  the  corps 
with  mu(.'h  passion:  "For  shame,  light-infantry!  I  never  saw  you  retreat 
before  :  form  !  form  !  it^s  only  a  scouting  party."  A  shower  of  grape  from 
the  American  cannon  having  fallen  among  the  crowd  that  were  standing  with 
the  general,  he  rode  off  at  full  speed  from  the  "  scouting  party,"  to  the 
huge  enjoyment  of  the  veterans  he  had  just  accused  of  cowardice. 

At  Monmouth,  Powell,  the  fourth  captain  of  the  grenadier  company 
killed  during  the  war,  having  fallen,  the  drummer  of  his  company  was  heard 
to  exclaim,  "  Well,  I  wonder  who  they'll  get  to  accept  of  our  grenadier 
company  now  ?     TU  be  d — d  if  I  would  !  " 

In  1778,  the  regiment,  being  reduced  to  ninety-two  effective  men,  was 
sent  home  to  England.  It  had  been  raised  in  1755  (Seven  Years' War), 
and  was  first  numbered  54th ;  but  on  account  of  the  disbandment  of  Colonel 
Shirley's  and  Sir  William  Pepperell's  regiments  (50th  and  51st),  it  became 
the  52d.  Sir  John  Clavering  was  its  colonel  during  the  American  War ;  Sir 
John  Moore  and  Lieutenant-general  Martin  Hunter  had  been  lieutenants ; 
Fii'ld-marshal  Lord  Seaton  commanded  it  in  1812.  At  Bunker  Hill  the52d 
and  43d  began  that  soldierly  brotherhood  afterwards  cemented  on  the 
f     famous  fields  of  the  Peninsular  War. 


28  BU^^KER    HIU.. 


IV. 


ACCOUNT    OF    ADJUTANT    WALLER,    ROYAL 
MARINES. 


Camp  ob^  Charlestowx  Heights,  22d  June,  1775. 

IV  yTY  DEAR  Brother,  —  Amidst  tlie  hurry  and  confusion  of 
■^^■^  a  camp  hastily  pitched  in  the  field  of  battle,  I  am  sat  down 
to  tell  you  I  have  escaped  unhurt,  where  many,  very  many,  have 
fallen.  The  public  papers  will  inform  you  of  the  situation  of 
the  ground  and  the  redoubt  that  we  attacked  on  the  heights 
of  Charlestown.  I  can  only  say  that  it  was  a  most  desperate 
and  daring  attempt,  and  it  was  performed  with  as  much  gal- 
lantry and  spirit  as  was  ever  shown  by  any  troops  in  any  age. 

Two  companies  of  the  first  battalion  of  marines,  and  part 
of  the  47th  regiment,  were  the  first  that  mounted  the  breast- 
work ;  and  you  will  not  be  displeased  when  I  tell  you  that 
I  was  with  those  two  companies  who  drove  their  bayonets 
into  all  that  opposed  them.  Nothing  could  be  more  shocking 
than  the  carnage  that  followed  the  storming  this  work.  We 
tumbled  over  the  dead  to  get  at  the  living,  who  were  crowding 
out  of  the  gorge  of  the  redoubt,  in  order  to  form  under  the 
defences  which  they  had  prepared  to  cover  their  retreat.  In 
these  breastworks  they  had  artillery,  which  did  so  much  mis- 
chief; but  these  they  were  obliged  to  abandon,  being  followed 
closely  by  the  light-infantry,  who  suffered  exceedingly  in  the 
pursuit.  The  rebels  had  five  thousand  to  seven  thousand  men, 
covered  by  a  redoubt,  breastworks,  walls,  hedges,  trees,  and 
the  like ;  and  the  number  of  the  corps  under  General  Howe 
(who  performed  this  gallant  business)  did  not  amount  to 
fifteen   hundred.     We    gained    a    complete   victory,  and  in- 


ACCOUNT    OF    ADJUTANT    WALLER.  29 

trenched  ourselves  tliat  night,  where  we  lay  under  arms,  in 
the  front  of  the  field  of  battle.  We  lay  the  next  night  on  the 
ground,  and  the  following  day  encamped.  The  officers  have 
not  their  marquees,  but  are  obliged  to  lie  in  soldiers'  tents, 
they  being  more  portable  in  case  of  our  advancing. 

We  had  of  our  corps  one  major,  two  captains,  and 
three  lieutenants  killed  ;  four  captains  and  three  lieutenants 
wounded ;  two  Serjeants,  and  twenty-one  rank  and  file  killed  ; 
and  three  Serjeants  and  seventy-nine  privates  wounded ;  and, 
I  suppose,  upon  the  whole,  we  lost,  killed  and  wounded,  from 
eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  men.  We  killed  a  number  of 
the  rebels,  but  the  cover  they  fought  under  made  their  loss 
less  considerable  than  it  would  otherwise  have  been.  The 
army  is  in  great  spirits,  and  full  of  rage  and  ferocity  at  the 
rebellious  rascals  who  both  poisoned  and  chewed  the  musket- 
balls,  in  order  to  make  them  the  more  fatal.  Many  officers 
have  died  of  their  wounds,  and  others  very  ill ;  'tis  astonish- 
ing what  a  number  of  officers  were  hit  on  this  occasion :  but 
the  officers  were  particularly  aimed  at. 

I  will  just  give  you  a  short  account  of  the  part  of  the 
action  where  I  was  particularly  concerned.  We  landed  close 
under  Charlestown,  and  formed  with  the  47tli  regiment 
close  under  the  natural  defences  of  the  redoubt,  which  we 
drove  the  enemy  from,  climbing  over  rails  and  hedges.  So 
we  closed  upon  them  ;  but  when  we  came  immediately  under 
the  work,  we  were  checked  by  the  severe  fire  of  the  enemy, 
but  did  not  retreat  an  inch.  We  were  now  in  confusion,  after 
being  broke  several  times  in  getting  over  the  rails,  &c.  I  did 
all  I  could  to  form  the  two  companies  on  our  right,  which  at 
last  I  effi^cted,  losing  many  of  them  while  it  was  performing. 
Major  Pitcairne  was  killed  close  by  me,  with  a  captain  and  a 
subaltern,  also  a  sergeant,  and  many  of  the  privates ;  and  had 
we  stopped  there  much  longer,  the  enemy  would  have  picked 
us  all  off.  I  saw  this,  and  begged  Colonel  Nesbitt,  of  the 
47th,  to  form  on  our  left,  in  order  that  we  might  advance 
with  our  bayonets  to  the  parapet.  I  ran  from  right  to  left, 
and  stopped  our  men  from  firing  ;  while  this  was  doing,  and 
when  we  had  got  in  tolerable  order,  we  rushed  on,  leaped  the 


30  BUNKER    HILL. 

ditch,  and  climbed  the  parapet,  under  a  most  sore  and  heavy 
fire.  Colonel  Nesbitt  has  spoken  very  favorably  of  my  con- 
duct, and  both  our  majors  have  mentioned  me  to  Lord  Sand- 
wich in  consequence  of  it.  One  captain  and  one  subaltern 
fell  in  getting  up,  and  one  captain  and  one  subaltern  were 
wounded  of  our  corps  ;  three  captains  of  the  52d  were  killed 
on  the  parapet,  and  others  that  I  know  nothing  of.  God  bless 
you !  I  did  not  think,  at  one  time,  that  I  should  ever  have 
been  able  to  write  this,  though  in  the  heat  of  the  action  I 
thought  nothing  of  the  matter. 

Adieu,  dear  Jacob,  yours, 

J.  Waller. 


THE   EOYAL   MAKINES.  31 


V. 

THE    ROYAL    MARINES. 


/^"^N  the  8th  of  June  the  American  congress  resolved  ''  that 
^-^  the  compact  between  the  crown  and  the  people  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay  is  dissolved."  A  proclamation  was  issued  by 
General  Gage  establishing  martial  law,  and  offering  pardon  to 
all  who  should  return  to  their  allegiance,  excepting  Samuel 
Adams  and  John  Handcock.  Matters  were  thus  fast  approach- 
ing to  a  crisis,  and  both  parties  prepared  in  right  earnest  for 
the  struggle. 

At  this  moment,  the  town  of  Charlestown  was  not  occupied 
by  either  party  ;  and  the  rebels,  anticipating  the  movement  of 
the  king's  troops,  sent  a  large  body  of  men  on  the  16th  of  June 
to  erect  works  upon  Bunker's  Hill  ;  and  during  the  night  they 
raised  intrenchments,  and  constructed  a  formidable  redoubt. 
On  the  ITth,  at  daybreak,  the  garrison  of  Boston  was  alarmed 
by  a  heavy  cannonade  from  his  Majesty's  ship  "  Lively,"  directed 
against  the  working  party  on  the  hill ;  but  as  the  Americans 
persevered  in  their  labors  with  great  firmness.  General  Gage 
considered  it  highly  necessary  to  dislodge  them  from  so  im- 
portant a  position,  and  therefore  resolved  on  an  immediate 
attack. 

The  "Lively,"  ''  Falcon,"  and  "  Spitfire"  having  anchored 
abreast  of  and  below  Charlestown  for  covering  the  landing  of  the 
troops,  at  nine  in  the  morning  the  "  Glasgow,"  lying  off  New 
Point,  and  a  battery  of  six  guns  and  some  howitzers,  opened 
upon  the  rebels  ;  but  they  perseveringly  continued  their  work, 
nothing  daunted  by  the  heavy  fire  which  was  poured  upon  them. 
The  Americans  on  the  heights  were  in  great  force,  and  strongly 


33  BUNKEK   niLL. 

posted  in  a  redoubt,  besides  other  works,  on  which  they  had 
mounted  cannon.  In  the  houses  of  Charlestown,  which  cov- 
ered their  right  flank,  they  had  also  posted  a  large  body  of 
troops,  while  their  centre  and  left  flank  were  protected  by 
a  breastwork,  partly  cannon  proof;  and  these  works  reached 
from  the  left  of  the  i-edoubt  to  the  Mystic,  or  Medford  River. 
Ten  companies  of  grenadiers  and  ten  of  light-infantry,  with 
the  5th,  38th,  43d,  and  52d  regiments,  under  Major-general 
Howe  and  Brigadier-general  Pigot,  were  embarked  with  great 
expedition,  and  landed  about  noon  on  Charlestown  Point, 
under  the  protection  of  the  ships  of  war,  whose  well-directed 
fire  kept  the  insurgents  within  their  works.  The  troops 
formed  in  perfect  order,  the  light-infantry  under  Brigadier 
Pigot  posted  on  the  right,  and  the  grenadiers  on  the  left ;  in 
rear  of  tiiese  the  5th  and  38th  regiments,  and  the  43d  and 
52d  in  a  third  line.  Major-general  Howe,  on  examining  the 
state  of  the  enemy's  defences,  and  observing  fresh  columns 
pouring  in  to  their  assistance,  solicited  a  reinforcement,  which 
soon  joined  him,  consisting  of  some  companies  of  grenadiers 
and  light-infantry,  the  47th  regiment,  and  the  battalions  of 
marines,  who  were  led  by  Majors  Pitcairne,  Tupper,  and  Short. 
The  major-general  then  formed  the  corps  under  his  command 
into  two  lines,  and  immediately  advanced  towards  the  enemy's 
works.  About  half-past  three  o'clock  a  smart  fire  was  opened 
from  the  field-pieces  and  howitzers  of  the  British,  as  tlie 
troops  slowly  advanced,  and  occasionally  halting  to  allow  the 
artillery  to  fire  with  greater  effect.  The  light-infantry  was 
directed  to  force  the  left  point  of  the  breastwork,  and  take  the 
enemy  in  flank ;  whilst  the  grenadiers  were  to  attack  in  front, 
supported  by  the  5th  and  52d  regiments.  Not  a  shot  was 
returned  by  the  enemy  until  our  troops  were  close  upon  them, 
when  they  opened  a  destructive  fire,  which  was  so  well  main- 
tained that  it  somewhat  staggered  the  assailants.  For  some 
time  the  British  withstood  this  opposition  ;  but  tlieir  loss  of 
officers  and  men  was  so  great  that  they  recoiled  a  little,  and 
fell  into  disorder,  until  the  animating  presence  of  General 
Howe  restored  confidence,  when  the  soldiers  rallied,  and 
again  advanced  upon  the  enemy. 


THE   ROYAL    MARINES.  33 

At  this  time  the  left  wing,  from  being  much  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  fire  from  the  houses  of  Charlestown,  sustained  con- 
siderable loss  ;  orders  were  therefore  sent  to  destroy  the  place, 
which  was  speedily  effected  by  red-hot  shot  from  the  ships,  and 
by  Cape's  (Copp's)  Hill  battery  throwing  carcasses.  General 
Howe  now  renewed  his  attack ;  and,  overcoming  the  various 
impediments  thrown  in  their  way,  the  British  soldiers  rushed 
into  the  intrenchments  with  the  bayonet,  and  drove  the  gallant 
enemy  from  every  part  of  the  works  across  the  peninsula,  leav- 
ing five  pieces  of  cannon  in  our  possession.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action  the  rebels  had  above  five  thousand  men, 
and  their  loss  must  have  been  considerable  ;  but  only  thirty 
of  the  killed  remained  in  the  redoubt.  In  this  hardly-earned 
victory  the  loss  on  the  part  of  the  British  amounted  to  one 
lieutenant-colonel,  two  majors,  seven  captains,  nine  lieutenants, 
fifteen  Serjeants,  one  drummer,  and  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
one  rank  and  file,  killed  ;  tln^ee  majors,  twenty-seven  captains, 
thirty-two  lieutenants,  eight  ensigns,  and  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  privates,  wounded,  —  making  a  total  of  ten  hundred 
and  fifty-four  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  marine  battalions  sustained  more  than  its  proportionate 
share  of  casualties  :  — 

First  battalion  :  Major  Short,  Captain  Stephen  Ellis,  Lieu- 
tenants Richard  Shea  and  William  Finnic,  and  seventeen  men, 
killed.  Major  Pitcairne,  mortally  ;  Captains  Thomas  Avarne, 
Stawel  Chudleigh,  and  David  Johnstone,  Lieutenant  Bagg,  and 
fifty-seven  men,  wounded. 

Second  battalion  :  Captain  Archibald  Campbell,  Lieutenant 
Francis  Gardner,  and  five  men,  killed  ;  Captain  George  Logan, 
Lieutenants  John  Dyer,  Alexander  Brisbane,  and  thirty  men, 
wounded. 

The  reputation  of  the  marines  was  never  more  nobly  sus- 
tained than  in  this  sanguinary  contest.  Their  unshaken  firm- 
ness was  conspicuous,  and  the  valor  they  displayed  in  closing 
with  the  enemy,  when  some  part  of  the  attacking  column 
wavered,  gained  them  not  only  the  admiration  of  tlieir  com- 
rades, but  the  commendation  of  their  distinguished  chief. 

5 


34  BUNKER   HILL. 


General  Orders,  19  June,  1775. 

The  Commander-in-chief  returns  liis  most  grateful  thanks  to 
Major-general  Howe  for  the  extraordinary  exertion  of  his  mili- 
tary abilities  on  the  17th  instant.  He  returns  his  thanks  also 
to  Major-general  Clinton  and  Brigadier  Pigot  for  the  share 
they  took  in  the  success  of  the  day,  as  well  as  to  Lieutenant- 
colonels  Nesbitt,  Abercromby,  Gunning,  and  Clarke,  Majors 
Butler,  Williams,  Bruce,  Tupper,  Spenlove,  Small,  and  Mitchel, 
and  the  rest  of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  who  by  remarkable 
efforts  of  courage  and  gallantry  overcame  every  disadvantage, 
and  drove  the  rebels  from  the  redoubt  and  strongholds  on  the 
heights  of  Charlestown,  and  gained  a  complete  victory.^ 

^  "  Historical  Record  Royal  Marine  Forces." 


THE    ROYAL   ARTILLERY.  35 


VI. 

THE    ROYAL    ARTILLERY    AT    BUNKER    HILL. 


/^N  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  the  Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  as 
^-^  it  is  called,  although  Breed's  Hill  was  the  real  scene  of 
operations  (Bunker's  Hill,  which  was  intended  to  be  fortified, 
being  considerably  more  distant  from  Boston),  was  fought ;  and 
between  the  batteries  on  Cop's  Hill,  and  with  the  guns  actually 
on  the  field,  five  companies  of  the  fourth  battalion  were  present, 
Nos.  1,2,  4,  5,  and  8.  Eight  field  guns  were  actually  in  action  ; 
but  twelve  accompanied  the  attacking  force,  —  four  light  twelve- 
pounders,  four  5i-inch  howitzers,  and  four  light  six-pounders. 
The  attack  was  made  under  the  fire  of  the  guns,  "  tlie  troops 
advancing  slowly,  and  halting  at  intervals  to  give  time  for  the 
artillery  to  produce  some  effect."  In  these  words  the  recently 
exploded  traditions  are  apparent  which  wedded  the  artillery  to 
the  infantry  during  an  engagement,  instead  of  allov/ing  it  in- 
dependent action.  One  statement  is  made  by  Stedman,  gen- 
erally a  most  accurate  writer,  which  it  is  difficult  to  reconcile 
with  Colonel  Cleavcland's  official  report.  "  During  the  engage- 
ment," writes  the  former,  "  a  supply  of  ball  for  the  artillery, 
sent  from  the  ordnance  department  in  Boston,  was  found  to  be 
of  larger  dimensions  than  fitted  the  calibres  of  the  field-pieces 
that  accompanied  the  detachment,  an  oversight  which  pre- 
vented the  further  use  of  the  artillery." 

In  opposition  to  this  statement,  Colonel  Cleavcland's  re- 
port to  the  Master-general  may  be  quoted :  "  At  Bunker's 
Hill  I  sent  sixty-six  rounds  to  each  gun,  and  not  more  than 
half  was  fired."  The  artillery  met  with  but  little  casualty. 
According  to  the  Fourth  Battalion  records.  Captain-lieutenant 
Lemoine,  Lieutenant  Shuttle  worth,  and  nine  matrosses  were 


36  BUI^KER   niLL. 

wounded ;  according  to  Colonel  Cleaveland's  MSS.  this  num- 
ber was  increased  by  Captain  Huddlestone,  whom  he  includes 
among  the  wounded. 

The  English  plan  of  attack  was  faulty,  and  the  defence  of 
the  Americans  admirable  ;  but  these  facts  merely  rendered  the 
victory  of  the  English  troops  more  creditable.  It  did  not  save 
Boston  from  the  blockade,  which  from  this  day  became  more 
thorough ;  and  it  certainly  encouraged  the  American  militia, 
who  found  with  what  effect  they  could  fight  against  those  reg- 
ular troops  from  which  they  had  hitherto  shrunk  a  little,  with 
a  species  of  superstitious  dread.^ 

^  "  History  Royal  Artillery." 


ACCOU^sT    OF    CAPTAIN   HAERIS.  37 


vn. 

ACCOUNT  OF  CAPTAIN  HARRIS,i  OF  THE  5th  FOOT. 


TT  7E  had  made  a  brcacli  in  their  fortifications,  which  I  had 
'  ^  twice  mounted,  encouraging  the  men  to  follow  me,  and 
was  ascending  a  third  time,  when  a  ball  grazed  the  top  of  my 
head,  and  I  fell,  deprived  of  sense  and  motion.  My  lieutenant, 
Lord  Rawdon,  caught  me  in  his  arms,  and,  believing  me  dead, 
endeavored  to  remove  me  from  the  spot,  to  save  my  body  from 
being  trampled  on.  The  motion,  while  it  hurt  me,  restored 
my  senses,  and  I  articulated,  "For  God's  sake,  let  me  die  in 
peace." 

The  hope  of  preserving  my  life  induced  Lord  Rawdon  to 
order  four  soldiers  to  take  me  up,  and  carry  me  to  a  place  of 
safety.  Three  of  them  were  wounded  while  performing  this 
office  (one  afterwards  died  of  his  wounds)  ;  but  they  succeeded 
in  placing  me  under  some  trees  out  of  the  reach  of  the  balls. 
A  retreat  having  been  sounded,  poor  Holmes  was  running  al)out 
like  a  madman  in  search  of  me,  and  luckily  came  to  the  place 
where  I  lay,  just  in  time  to  prevent  my  being  left  behind,  for 
when  they  brought  me  to  the  water's  edge,  the  last  boat  was 
put  off,  the  men  calling  out  "  they  would  take  no  more  !  "  On 
Holmes'  hallooing  out,  "  It  is  Captain  Harris,"  they  put  back 

^  Afterward  George,  Lord  Harris.  He  commanded  the  grenadier  com- 
pany, his  lit'utcnant  bein^  Lord  Rawdon,  subsequently  Marquis  of  Hastings. 
Harris  served  in  America,  in  the  West  Indies,  and  in  the  East  Indies.  He 
conniianded  as  lieutenant-general  the  army  which  captured  Seringapatam, 
in  Avhich  Tippoo  Sultan  was  killed.  After  Bunker  Hill  his  life  was  saved  by- 
trepanning.  He  notes  that  his  surgeons,  by  fixing  looking-glasses,  gratified 
him  with  a  view  of  his  own  brains.  —  Diary  of  Lord  Harris,  in  his  "  Life 
and  Services."     London,  18ho. 


38  BUNKER   HILL. 

and  took  me  in.  1  was  very  weak  and  faint,  and  seized  with  a 
severe  shivering.  Our  blankets  had  been  flung  away  during  the 
engagement ;  luckily  there  was  one  belonging  to  a  man  in  the 
boat,  in  which,  wrapping  me  up,  and  laying  me  in  the  bottom, 
they  conveyed  me  safely  to  my  quarters.^ 

1  Captain  Harris  was  with  his  company  in  the  Battle  of  Lexington 
and  Concord.  Lord  Percy,  his  colonel,  placed  him  in  command  of  the 
rear  guard  on  the  retreat,  as  Colonel  Smith  had  given  the  advance  to  one 
of  the  10th  in  the  march  to  Concord.  Harris's  company  was,  as  he  him- 
self relates,  very  roughly  handled.  Captain  Parsons,  of  the  10th,  who 
also  figured  prominently  at  Concord,  was  among  the  wounded  at  Bunker 
Hill. 


BUPvGOYNe's    letter   to   lord    STANLEY.  89 


YIII. 
GENEPvAL  BURGOYNE'S  LETTER  TO  LORD  STANLEY.^ 


BOSTON  is  a  peninsula,  joined  to  the  mainland  only  by  a  nar- 
row neck,  which,  on  the  first  troubles,  General  Gage  forti- 
fied ;  arms  of  tlie  sea  and  the  harbor  form  the  rest ;  on  the  other 
side  of  one  of  these  arms,  to  the  north,  is  Charlestown  (or 
rather  was,  for  it  is  now  rubbish),  and  over  it  a  large  hill,  which 
is  also,  like  Boston,  a  peninsula.  To  the  south  of  the  town  is 
a  still  larger  scope  of  ground,  containing  three  hills,  joining 
also  to  the  mainland  by  a  tongue,  and  called  Dorchester  Neck, 
the  neck  above  described  ;  both  north  and  south  (in  the  soldier 
phrase)  commanded  the  town,  that  is,  gave  an  opportunity  of 
erecting  batteries  above  any  we  can  make  against  them,  and 
consequently  are  much  more  advantageous.  It  was  absolutely 
necessary  we  should  make  ourselves  masters  of  these  heights, 
and  we  proposed  to  begin  with  Dorchester,  because,  from  the 
particular  situation  of  the  batteries  and  shipping,  it  would 
evidently  be  effected  without  any  considerable  loss.  Every  thing 
was  disposed  accordingly.  My  two  colleagues  and  myself  (who, 
by  the  by,  have  never  differed  in  one  jot  of  military  sentiment) 
liad,  in  concert  with  General  Gage,  formed  the  plan.  Howe 
was  to  land  the  transports  on  one  point,  Clinton  in  tlie  centre, 
and  I  was  to  cannonade  from  the  causeway,  or  the  neck,  each 
to  take  advantage  of  the  circumstances.  The  operations  must 
have  been  very  easy.    This  was  to  have  been  executed  on  the 

^  General  Burgoyne  witnessed  the  battle  from  Copp's  Hill.  He  and 
Lord  Percy  remained  on  duty  in  Boston ;  the  former  cannonaded  General 
Thomas  at  Roxbury  from  the  British  lines  on  Boston  Neck,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent reinforcements  being  de.'^patched  to  the  battle-lield. 


40  BUNKER  HILL. 

18tli.  On  the  ITtli,  at  dawn  of  day,  we  found  the  enemy  had 
pushed  intrenchments  with  great  diligence  during  the  night 
on  the  heights  of  Charlestown,  and  we  evidently  saw  that  every 
hour  gave  them  fresh  strength  ;  it  therefore  became  necessary 
to  alter  our  plan,  and  attack  on  that  side.  Howe,  as  second  in 
command,  was  detached  with  about  two  thousand  men,  and 
landed  on  the  outward  side  of  the  peninsula,  covered  with  ship- 
ping, without  opposition.  He  was  to  advance  from  thence  up 
the  hill,  which  was  over  Charlestown,  where  the  strength  of 
the  enemy  lay.  He  had  under  him  Brigadier-general  Pigot. 
Clinton  and  myself  took  our  stand  (for  we  had  not  any  fixed 
post)  in  a  large  battery  opposite  to  Charlestown,  and  command- 
ing it,  and  also  reaching  to  the  height  above  it,  and  thereby 
facilitating  Howe's  attack.  Howe's  disposition  was  extremely 
soldier-like  :  in  my  opinion,  it  was  perfect.  As  his  first  arm 
advanced  up,  they  met  with  a  thousand  impediments  from 
strong  fences,  and  were  much  exposed.  They  were  also  very 
much  hurt  by  the  musketry  from  Charlestown,  though  Clinton 
and  I  did  not  perceive  it,  till  Howe  sent  us  word  by  a  boat,  and 
desired  us  to  set  fire  to  the  town,  which  was  immediately  done. 
We  threw  a  parcel  of  shells,  and  the  whole  was  instantly  in 
flames.  Our  battery  afterwards  kept  an  incessant  fire  on  tlie 
heights  ;  it  was  seconded  by  a  number  of  frigates,  floating- 
batteries,  and  one  ship  of  the  line. 

And  now  ensued  one  of  the  greatest  scenes  of  war  that  can 
be  conceived,  if  we  look  to  the  height.  Howe's  corps,  as- 
cending the  hill  in  the  face  of  intrenchments,  and  in  a  very 
disadvantageous  ground,  was  much  engaged  ;  and  to  the  left,  the 
enemy  pouring  in  fresh  troops  by  tbousands  over  the  land ; 
and  in  the  arm  of  the  sea,  our  ships  and  floating  batteries  can- 
nonading them ;  straight  before  us,  a  large  and  noble  town  in 
one  blaze :  the  church-steeples,  being  made  of  timber,  were 
great  pyramids  of  fire  above  the  rest ;  behind  us,  the  church- 
steeples  and  heights  of  our  camp  covered  with  spectators.  The 
enemy  all  anxious  suspense ;  the  roar  of  cannon,  mortars, 
musketry ;  the  crash  of  churches,  ships  upon  the  stocks,  and 
whole  streets  falling  together  in  ruin,  to  fill  the  ear  ;  the  storm 
of  the  redoubts,  with  the  objects  above  described,  to  fill  the 


BURGOTNE's  letter  to  lord  STANLEY.      41 

eye ;  and  the  reflection,  that,  perhaps,  a  defeat  was  a  final  loss 
to  the  British  Empire  in  America,  to  fill  the  mind,  —  made  tlie 
whole  a  picture,  and  complication  of  horror  and  importance, 
beyond  any  thing  that  came  to  my  lot  to  be  a  witness  to.  I 
much  lament  my  nephew's  absence  :  it  was  a  sight  for  a  young 
soldier  that  the  longest  service  may  not  furnish  again ;  and 
had  he  been  with  me  he  would  likewise  have  been  out  of 
danger,  for  except  two  cannon-balls  that  went  a  hundred  yards 
over  our  heads,  we  were  not  in  any  part  of  the  direction  of  the 
enemy's  shot.  A  moment  of  the  day  was  critical.  Howe's 
left  was  staggered ;  two  battalions  had  been  sent  to  reinforce 
them,  but  we  perceived  them  on  a  beach,  seeming  in  embarrass- 
ment which  way  to  march.  Clinton,  then  next  for  business, 
took  the  part,  without  waiting  for  orders,  to  throw  himself  into 
a  boat  to  lead  them  ;  lie  arrived  in  time  to  be  of  service.  The 
day  ended  with  glory,  and  the  success  was  most  important, 
considering  the  ascendancy  it  gives  the  regular  troops  ;  but  the 
loss  was  uncommon  among  the  officers,  considering  the  num- 
bers engaged. 


42  BUNKER  HILL. 


IX. 


AN  AUTHENTIC  AND   IMPARTIAL    NARRATIVE   OF  THE 
BATTLE  FOUGHT   ON   THE   17th  OF   JUNE,   1775,  &c.* 


/^N  Friday,  the  sixteenth  of  June,  1775,  Lieutenant-general 
^-^  Gage,  Commander-in-chief  of  all  his  Majesty's  troops  in 
America,  and  Governor  of  Boston,  received  information  that  the 
provincial  American  army  were  erecting  a  battery  on  Bunker's 
Hill,  contiguous  to  Charlestown,  with  an  intent  to  besiege  and 
annoy  the  town  of  Boston.  This  information  was  soon  con- 
firmed by  their  firing  several  cannon-balls  into  the  town,  to 
the  infinite  terror  and  danger  of  the  inhabitants,  most  of  whom 
then  witliin  the  town  w^ere  in  general  deemed  and  esteemed 
the  steady  friends  of  government. 

In  consequence  of  this  insult  to  his  Majesty's  troops  and 
government.  Lieutenant-general  Gage  thought  it  expedient  to 
give  orders  for  the  men-of-war,  transports,  &c.,  and  the  military, 
to  make  every  necessary  preparation  for  an  action. 

On  the  subsequent  day,  Saturday,  the  17th  of  June,  in  com- 
pliance with  these  orders,  every  necessary  disposal  from  the 
fleet  and  army  was  made  by  ten  in  the  morning,  and  such 
troops  as  were  ordered  upon  the  expedition  were  embarked  at 
Hancock's  Wharf,  and  effected  their  landing  under  the  cover  of 
the  shipping  by  one. 

Two  transports,  also  with  troops,  arrived  from  England  the 
night  before,  were  ordered  to  land  in  the  morning  on  Charles- 
town  side  to  proceed  to  the  engagement. 

Immediately  after  landing,  Major-general  Howe,  Major  Pit- 
cairn,  and  other  principal  officers,  directly  drew  up  the  troops 
to  the   best   advantage   for  battle;    whilst  this   disposal  was 

1  By  John  Clarke,  who  stales  himself  First  Lieutenant  of  Marines. 
See  Introduction,  note. 


claeke's  narratiye.  43 

effecting,  Lieutenant-general  Gage  ordered  the  artillery  on  the 
Boston  side  to  bombard  and  set  fire  to  Charlestown,  in  order  to 
cut  off  the  resource  or  refuge  it  might  afford  the  provincials. 
These  orders  were  executed  with  incredible  dispatch ;  and  the 
whole  town,  containing  about  three  hundred  houses  and  a 
large  church,  represented  a  general  conflagration  by  half  after 
two. 

By  this  time  the  troops  were  all  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle, 
when  Major-general  Howe  addressed  the  officers  and  soldiers 
in  the  following  manner  :  — 

Gentlemen,  —  I  am  very  happy  in  having  the  honor  of  com- 
manding so  fine  a  body  of  men.  I  do  not  in  the  least  doubt  but 
that  you  will  behave  like  Englishmen,  and  as  becometh  good 
soldiers. 

If  the  enemy  will  not  come  from  their  intrenchments,  we  must 
drive  them  out  at  all  events,  otherwise  the  town  of  Boston  will  be 
set  on  fire  by  them. 

I  shall  not  desire  one  of  you  to  go  a  step  farther  than  where  I  go 
myself  at  your  head. 

Kemember,  gentlemen,  we  have  no  recourse  to  any  resources  if 
we  lose  Boston  but  to  go  on  board  our  ships,  which  will  be  very 
disagreeable  to  us  all. 

We  then  began  to  proceed  to  action,  by  marching  with  a 
quick  step  up  the  precipice  that  led  to  the  intrenched  provincial 
army,  until  within  five  hundred  yards  of  them  ;  a  very  brisk 
fire  commenced  on  their  side,  and  was  returned  on  ours  ;  still 
marching  up  to  their  intrenchments  as  fast  as  possible,  from 
whence  we  dislodged  them  by  four  o'clock,  the  battle  being 
fought  and  gained  within  one  hour. 

In  the  intrenchments  were  found  five  pieces  of  cannon  and 
five  iron  swivel  guns,  which  they  had  taken  out  of  the  "  Diana" 
schooner,  which  they  burnt. 

The  fate  of  the  battle  was  very  severe  on  the  52d  regi- 
ment of  foot  and  the  first  brigade  of  marines,  the  ofticers 
and  men  behaving  remarkably  well,  and  gaining  immortal 
honor,  though  with  considerable  loss,  as  will  appear  by  the 
number  of  the  officers  killed  and  wounded. 


44  BUNKER   niLL. 

A  full  half-hour  after  the  Americans  were  dislodged  from 
their  iutrenchments,  and  it  was  generally  supposed  that 
no  enemy  Avere  at  hand,  Lieutenant  Button,  of  the  38th 
regiment,,  being  much  afflicted  with  the  gout  and  severely 
fatigued  with  the  engagement,  sat  down  on  tlie  grass  to  change 
his  stockings,  and  while  so  doing,  was  alarmed  by  his  servant 
telling  him  two  men  were  approaching  with  firelocks,  who  were 
not  of  the  king's  troops.  The  servant  expressed  an  appre- 
hension of  their  intention  being  hostile,  which  Mr.  Dutton 
laughed  at,  and  replied,  he  supposed  they  were  coming  to 
surrender  and  give  up  their  arms  ;  but  his  incredulity  proved 
fatal  to  him,  for  they  were  no  sooner  within  a  convenient  space 
than  they  lodged  the  contents  of  their  muskets  in  the  bodies 
of  the  hard-fated  lieutenant  and  servant,  notwithstanding  that 
the  king's  troops  were  within  fifty  yards  of  him  Avhen  he  lost 
his  life,  and  some  of  the  light-infantry  quite  close  to  him  ;  how- 
ever, they  were  instantaneously  sacrificed  to  his  much-injured 
manes.  Mrs.  Dutton  and  her  two  children  came  liome  in. the 
"  Cerberus." 

The  Americans  being  defeated,  and  the  king's  troops  in 
possession  of  the  intrenchments.  Major-general  Howe  sent  to 
Lieutenant-general  Gage  for  a  reinforcement  of  troops,  who 
immediately  sent  him  four  regiments  of  foot  and  the  second 
battalion  of  marines,  a  company  of  artillery,  and  six  pieces  of 
cannon. 

As  soon  as  the  reinforcements  of  troops  arrived,  they  imme- 
diately began  to  fortify  Bunker's  Hill ;  by  which  they  acquired 
about  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  land,  with  all  the 
gardens  and  orchards  belonging  to  Charlestown.  This  acqui- 
sition is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  Boston,  as  that  town 
can  now  be  supplied  with  plenty  of  vegetables  and  fruit. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  an  exact  account  of  the  number 
which  was  killed  of  the  Americans :  above  two  hundred  were 
killed  on  forcing  the  intrenchments,  as  appeared  on  our  bury- 
ing so  many ;  above  forty  were  made  prisoners,  and  carried  to 
Boston  jail,  where  they  still  remain. 

Tlie  next  day,  also,  we  found  a  piece  of  ground,  about  twenty 
yards    long  and   twelve  wide,  which  appeared  to  have  been 


CLARKE  S   NARRATIVE. 


45 


freshly  digged.  On  opening  part  of  it,  about  two  feet  deep,  a 
number  of  dead  bodies  were  discovered,  buried  in  their  cloaths  ; 
these  men  must  have  been  killed  by  the  shot  and  bombs  from 
the  shipping  the  day  before,  and  during  part  of  the  night ;  but, 
not  opening  all  the  piece  of  ground,  the  exact  number  could 
not  be  discovered. 


DAY 

,   THE   17th  of  JUNE, 

1775. 

4th  Regiment. 

Captain  Balfour  .     . 

Wounded 

5? 

„       West.     .     . 

W. 

5J 

Lieutenant  Barron  . 

W, 

7? 

„          Brown   . 

w. 

5th  Regiment. 

Major  Mitchel      .     . 

w. 

?> 

Captain  Downs    .     . 

Killed. 

5J 

„     Jackson  . 

W. 

» 

„     Marsden .     , 

w. 

5> 

Lieutenant  Croker    . 

AY. 

5? 

„          M'Ciintock 

W. 

5> 

Ensign  Charlton .     . 

W. 

5? 

„     Palaguire 

W. 

10th  Regiment. 

Captain  Fitzgerald    . 

W. 

» 

„     Parsons  .     . 

W. 

jj 

Lieutenant  Pettigrew 

W. 

5? 

„         Hamilton 

W. 

i) 

„         Kelly      . 

W. 

?5 

„         Verner   . 

W. 

14tli  Regiment. 

Lieutenant  Bruere,  a  volunteer 

K. 

55 

Ensign  Haskett  .     . 

,     , 

. 

W. 

18th  Regiment. 

Lieutenant  Richardson 

. 

, 

W. 

22d  Regiment. 

Lieutenant-colonel  Abe 

Lxrombie  W. 

2od  Regiment. 

Captain  Blakeney     . 

. 

. 

W. 

» 

Lieutenant  Cockran 

. 

, 

W. 

» 

„        Beckwith 

. 

. 

W. 

46 


) 

BUNKER    HILL. 

23d  Regiment. 

Lieutenant  Lenthall 

.     .     W. 

35tli  Regiment. 

Captain  Lyon  .... 

.     .     W. 

5) 

„      Drew      .     .     . 

.    .    w. 

J> 

Lieutenant  Bai-d .     .     . 

.     .     K. 

>? 

„           Massey   .     . 

.     .     W. 

19 

„          Campbel 

.     .     W. 

38th  Regiment. 

Major  Bruce   .... 

.     .     W. 

'? 

Captain  Boyd .... 

.     .     W. 

9> 

„      Coker 

.     .     W. 

» 

Lieutenant  Button    .     . 

.     .     K. 

» 

„         Christie  .     . 

.     W. 

y» 

„         House     .     . 

.     .     W. 

>5 

„         Myers      .     . 

.     W. 

59 

Quarter-master  Mitchell 

.     W. 

J9 

Ensign  Serjeant  .     .     . 

.     .     W. 

43d  Regiment. 

Major  Spendlove      .     .     . 

.     W. 

>9 

Captain  Mackenzie  . 

.     .     K. 

>» 

Lieutenant  Robertson   . 

.     W. 

99 

„         Dairy mple  . 

.     W. 

47tli  Regiment. 

Major  Smelt  .... 

.     W. 

19 

Captain  England     .     .     , 

.     W. 

9J 

„      Craigg   .     .     . 

.     W. 

J9 

„     Allcock .     .     . 

.     W. 

J» 

Lieutenant  Gold  .     .     . 

.     K. 

99 

„         Hilliard  .     . 

.     .    K. 

99 

„         Hilier     .     . 

.     K. 

9? 

„         England .     . 

.     W. 

52d  Regiment. 

Major  Williams  . 

.     K. 

?9 

Captain  Addison      .     .     . 

.     K. 

99 

„      Davidson     .     .     . 

.     K. 

99 

„      Smith     . 

.    K. 

99 

„      Nelson    .     .     .     . 

.     ^Y. 

99 

Lieutenant  Higgins  .     . 

.     K. 

99 

„         Crawford    .     . 

.    w. 

99 

„         Thompson  . 

.     W. 

99 

Ensign  Chetwynd     .     .     . 

.    w. 

J> 

„      Grame     .     .     .     . 

.     W. 

CLAEEES   NAEEATIVE. 


47 


59th  Eegiment. 

Lieutenant  Haynes  . 

.   .   w. 

63d  Regiment. 

Captain  Horsford 

.    .   .   w. 

63d  Regiment. 

Captain  Foillett  .     .     , 

.    .   ^Y. 

5? 

Lieutenant  Dahymple 

.     .     K. 

65tli  Regiment. 

Major  Butler  .     .     . 

.   .   w. 

5) 

Captain  Hudson  .     . 

.     .    K. 

5^ 

„      Sinclair  .     . 

.   .   w. 

?> 

Lieutenant  Pexton  .     . 

.    .    w. 

5» 

„         Smith 

.    .    w. 

?» 

„         Hales     . 

.   .   w. 

67th  Regiment. 

Captain  Sherwin,  aide-de-camp 

to  Major-general  Howe .     .     K. 

MARINES. 

Marines.     Major  Pitcairn K. 

„  Captain  Campbel K. 

„      Ellis K. 

„  „      Chudleigh W. 

„  „      Logan W. 

„  „      Averne W. 

„  Capt.-lieutenant  and  Adj.  Johnson    .  W. 

„  First  Lieutenant  Finnie K. 

„       ,         „  „  Shea K. 

„  „            „          Gardner    .     .     .     .  K. 

„  „           „          Brisbane  ....  W. 

„  „  91  K,agg W. 

„  „            „          Pitcairn    .     .     .     .  W. 

„  Second  Lieutenant  Dyer      ....  W. 

,,  Engineer  Page .     .  W. 

Artillery.    Captain  Limoine W. 

„  „      Huddleston W. 

„  Lieutenant  Shutworth W. 

„  „  Campbell W. 


48 


BUNKER   HILL. 

Field  officers  killed 3 

„  ,,      wounded 4 

Captains  killed 9 

„       wounded 25 

Subalterns  killed 11 

„         wounded 40 

Total  of  officers 92 

Non-commissioned  officers  )     Killed        .     .     .       200 
and  private  inen  \      Wounded       .     .       749 


Total  of  officers  and  men 1041 


REGIMENTS  IN    THE    FIELD  OF  BATTLE    ON    THE   17th  OF 

JUNE,  1775. 

Fifth,  Fifty-second, 

Thirty-eigbth,  First  battalion  of  marines. 

Forty-third,  Thirteen  companies  of  grenadiers, 

Forty-seventh,  Thirteen  companies  of  light-infantry. 

Besides  these  regiments  which  are  now  in  Boston,  there  are 
only  two  more  in  all  America,  —  the  7th,  or  Royal  English 
Fusileers,  and  the  8th. 

As  it  is  very  uncommon  that  such  a  great  number  of  officers 
should  be  killed  and  wounded  more  than  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  private  men :  the  following  discovery  seems  to 
account  for  it. 

Before  the  intrenchments  were  forced,  a  man,  whom  the 
Americans  called  a  marksman,  or  rifleman,  was  seen  standing 
upon  something  near  three  feet  higher  than  the  rest  of  the 
troops,  as  their  hats  were  not  visible.  This  man  had  no  sooner 
discharged  one  musket,  than  another  was  handed  to  him,  and 
continued  firing  in  that  manner  for  ten  or  twelve  minutes.  And 
in  that  small  space  of  time,  by  their  handing  to  him  fresh 
loaded  muskets,  it  is  supposed  that  he  could  not  kill  or  wound 


claeke's  narrative.  49 

lass  than  twenty  officers  ;  for  it  was  at  them  particularly  that 
he  directed  his  aim,  as  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  prison- 
ers. .  But  he  soon  paid  his  tribute,  for,  upon  being  noticed,  he 
was  killed  by  the  grenadiers  of  the  Royal  Welsh  Fusileers. 

Another  remarkable  circumstance  of  the  heat  of  this  action 
is,  that  all  the  grenadiers  of  the  4th,  or  King's  Own,  regiment 
were  killed  or' wounded,  except  four;  and  of  the  grenadiers, 
also  of  the  23d,  or  Royal  Welsh  Fusileers,  only  three  remained, 
who  were  not  either  killed  or  wounded.  The  number  of  men 
in  each  company,  if  complete,  should  be  thirty-nine.  This  dis- 
proportion also  is  very  great,  as,  from  calculations  of  most 
pitched  battles,  the  proportion  of  the  number  of  killed  and 
wounded  is  only  every  eighth  man. 

As  soon  as  the  news  of  the  battle  being  over  reached  Bos- 
ton, those  persons  who  style  themselves  friends  to  government 
instantly  sent  out  every  sort  of  carriage  they  had,  as  coaches, 
chariots,  single-horse  chaises,  and  even  hand-barrows,  to  the 
water-side,  to  assist  in  bringing  to  Boston  the  wounded  and 
killed  officers  and  soldiers  to  their  respective  homes ;  likewise 
all  the  physicians,  surgeons,  and  apothecaries  of  Boston  in- 
stantly attended  the  wounded  officers,  and  gave  them  every 
assistance  in  their  power. 

Then  followed  a  melancholy  scene  of  several  carriages,  with 
the  dead  and  dying  officers  ;  in  the  first  of  which  was  Major 
Williams  bleeding  and  dying,  and  three  dead  captains  of  the 
52d  regiment ;  but  he  lived  till  the  next  morning. 

The  second  contained  four  dead  officers,  then  another  with 
wounded  officers  ;  and  this  scene  continued  until  Sunday  morn- 
ing, before  all  the  wounded  private  men  could  be  brought  to 
Boston. 

Those  soldiers  who  fell  in  the  field  were  instantly  buried 
there ;  and  on  Monday  morning  all  the  dead  officers  were 
decently  buried  in  Boston,  in  a  private  manner,  in  the  different 
churches  and  church-yards  there.  Lieutenant-colonel  Aber- 
crombie  and  Major  Pitcairn  were  buried  in  the  King's  Chapel. 

During  the  engagement,  a  captain  of  marines,  who  had  been 
in  several,  remarked  to  Major  Pitcairn  that  of  all  the  actions 
he  had  been  in,  this  was  the  hottest :  first,  from  the  burning  of 

7 


50  BUNKER   HILL. 

the  houses  in  Charlestown  ;  next,  the  heat  of  the  day  ;  and, 
thirdly,  from  the  heat  of  the  enemy's  fire.  The  Major  an- 
swered him  that  soldiers  should  inure  themselves  to  all  manner 
of  hardships,  not  to  regard  either  heat  or  cold  ;  "  for  my  part, 
at  present  (says  he),  I  have  enough  to  do  to  mind  my  duty, 
which  I  shall  do  to  the  utmost  of  my  power."  Soon  after, 
they  were  both  of  them  shot  through  the  body,  and  died  in- 
stantly. 

A  report  having  prevailed  that  Doctor  Warren  was  not 
killed,  I  think  it  necessary  to  contradict  it,  as  I  saw  a  soldier, 
after  the  Doctor  was  wounded  and  lying  in  the  trenches,  going 
to  run  him  through  the  body  with  his  bayonet ;  on  which  the 
Doctor  desired  he  would  not  kill  him,  for  he  was  much  wounded, 
and  could  not  live  a  great  while  longer  ;  on  which  the  soldier 
swore  that  he  would,  for  that  he  had  done  more  mischief  than 
any  one  else  ;  and  immediately  run  him  through  the  body. 

The  Doctor's  dress  was  a  light-colored  coat,  with  a  white 
satin  waistcoat  laced  with  silver,  and  white  breeches,  with  silver 
loops,  which  I  saw  the  soldier  soon  after  strip  off  his  body. 

He  was  supposed  to  be  the  commander  of  the  American 
army  that  day ;  for  General  Putnam  was  about  three  miles 
distance,  and  formed  an  ambuscade  with  about  three  thousand 
men. 

As  it  was  imagined  that  the  Americans  would  give  great 
encouragement  to  the  king's  troops  to  induce  them  to  desert, 
by  offering  them  lands  to  cultivate,  it  had  its  effect  upon  some, 
as  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  the  18th  regiment,  or  Royal 
Irish,  deserted,  and  are  still  with  them  ;  two  or  three  of  these 
indeed  returned  to  the  regiment,  as  the  Americans  had  not 
performed  their  agreement. 

A  soldier,  also,  of  the  4th  regiment  came  to  his  captain  and 
told  him  that  an  offer  was  made  him  of  ten  dollars  and  a  new 
suit  of  clothes,  on  condition  of  his  deserting  ;  that,  if  he  ap- 
proved of  it,  he  would  take  the  money,  go  as  a  spy,  and  at  a 
short  but  convenient  opportunity  would  return  again  to  the 
regiment,  and  inform  him  how  he  was  treated.  The  captain 
approved  of  the  soldier's  plan,  and  consented.  The  soldier 
staid  about  a  week  with  them,  but  had  his  money  and  clothes 


claeke's  nareatiye.  51; 

taken  from  liim,  and  put  to  hard  labor,  instead  of  other  encour- 
agement. 

The  quartermaster-sergeant  of  the  38th  regiment  went  off 
with  about  forty  pounds  of  his  captain's  money,  and  has  been 
appointed  a  lieutenant-colonel  in  their  service,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  active  men  which  they  have. 

A  corporal  from  the  marines,  on  board  the  "  Lively  "  man- 
of-war,  also  deserted,  and  has  been  appointed  captain  and 
adjutant. 

Desertion,  however,  has  now  taken  its  leave  ;  for  since  the 
Americans  came  to  a  resolution,  on  the  19th  of  April  last, 
to  abridge  the  king's  troops  from  fresh  provisions  from  the 
country,  the  soldiers  are  so  exasperated  against  them,  that 
not  one  attempts  to  desert ;  nor  does  soldier  or  sailor  think 
of  it  now. 

A  remarkable  instance  of  benevolence  and  humanity  was 
shown  by  General  Gage's  lady,  the  day  after  the  action,  which 
ought  never  to  be  forgotten.  She  sent  all  her  fowls,  fish,  and 
what  little  fresh  meat  she  had  in  the  house,  to  the  wounded 
officers,  scarcely  leaving  a  sufficiency  for  herself  and  the  Gen- 
eral. This  is  not  all :  her  goodness  and  charity  to  the  soldiers' 
wives  and  children  have  gained  her  immortal  honor,  which 
she  very  justly  merits.  As  a  general  benevolence  for  the  army 
is  very  characteristic  of  the  English  ladies,  I  hope  they  will  fol- 
low General  Gage's  lady's  most  amiable  example.  Within  this 
month  are  expected  home  some  hundreds  of  poor  unfortunate 
soldiers  and  their  families  from  Boston,  some  with  one  leg, 
others  with  one  arm,  some  without  either  leg  or  arm.  When 
you  see  any  of  these  men,  consider  what  they  have  suffered  ; 
if  it  were  possible,  it  would  draw  tears  from  iron  and  steel. 

On  my  arrival  in  London,  I  heard  almost  everybody  declare 
their  surprise  that  Earl  Percy's  name  should  not  be  mentioned 
by  Lieutenant-general  Gage.  With  what  propriety  could  he 
introduce  the  name  of  any  officer,  however  distinguished  liis 
rank  might  be,  if  he  was  not  in  the  action  ?  I  shall  therefore 
explain  the  reason  why,  although  his  regiment  was  in  the 
action,  he  could  not  with  propriety  charge  at  the  head  of  it. 

On  the  arrival  at  Boston  of  the  three  generals  lately  sent 


52  BUNKER    HILL. 

out  in  the  ^'  Cerberus  '*  man-of-war,  —  Major-general  Howe, 
Major-general  Clinton,  Major-general  Burgoyne,  —  the  army, 
according  to  the  military  establishment,  was  divided  into  three 
brigades,  under  each  of  their  respective  commanders.  Every 
brigade  has  a  brigadier-general,  but  whose  rank  only  exists 
while  upon  service. 

Under  Major-general  Howe  was  Colonel  Pigot. 

„  „.  Clinton,  Colonel  Earl  Percy. 

,,  „  Burgoyne,  Colonel  Jones. 

Brigadier-general  Earl  Percy  deserves  the  greatest  enco- 
miums that  is  possible  for  pen  to  write  in  his  praise.  His 
unbounded  generosity  and  general  benevolence  exceed  all  I 
ever  saw.  AVhen  one  considers  the  noble  race  of  ancestors 
from  whence  he  is  descended,  I  cannot  be  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  his  noble  and  princely  spirit,  which  causes  him  to  be 
esteemed  by  his  officers  and  adored  by  his  men,  as  he  makes 
it  his  perpetual  study  to  do  all  the  good  possible  to  everybody. 


A  LIST  OF  THE  MEN-OF-WAR  NOW  AT  BOSTON,  WHERE  STATIONED, 
AND  THE  NIBIBER  OF  GUNS  ON  BOARD  EACH  SHIP. 

The  "  Preston,"  of  50  guns,  Admiral  Graves,  Captain  Robin- 
son, near  Boston. 

The  "  Somerset,"  of  70  guns,  Captain  Le  Cras,  between 
Boston  and  Charlestown. 

The  "  Lively,"  of  20  guns.  Captain  Bishop,  between  the 
islands,  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbor. 

The  "  Glasgow,"  of  20  guns.  Captain  Howe,  at  the  upper 
end  of  the  river,  between  Boston  and  Charlestown. 

The  "  Falcon,"  sloop,  of  16  guns.  Captain  Linzee,  at  the 
mouth  of  Cape  Cod  Bay. 

The  "  Boyne,"  of  70  guns.  Captain  Hartwell,  near  the 
castle,  about  two  leagues  from  Boston. 

With  several  schooners  and  armed  ships,  to  examine  all 
ships  going  in  and  out. 

These  ships,  from  the  natural  situation  of  Boston,  are  a  very 
great   defence   to   the   town  ;  nor  can  it  be  annoyed  by  the 


Clarke's  naeratiye.  •   53 

Americans,  without  a  superior  naval  force  ;  they,  however,  had 
the  hardiness,  on  Sunday,  the  28th  of  May,  whilst  the  chaplain 
on  board  the  "  Somerset "  was  at  prayers,  to  come  down  to  the 
shore  from  William's  Island,  and  fired  several  musket  shots, 
which  hit  the  ship,  but  did  no  mischief.  The  compliment  was 
returned  by  a  discharge  of  grape-shot,  but,  they  believe,  with- 
out any  effect,  as  none  were  seen  to  drop  ;  and  they  immedi- 
ately made  a  precipitate  retreat,  but  in  sight  of  us  set  William's 
house  on  fire. 

A  most  horrid  plot,  also,  was  discovered  of  their  intending  to 
massacre  all  the  officers  in  Boston  in  one  night.  The  officers 
being  quartered  in  private  lodgings,  an  alarm  was  to  be  given 
in  the  night,  and  as  each  officer  was  coming  out  of  the  street- 
door,  he  was  to  be  assassinated  ;  but  happily  the  affair  was 
discovered  before  it  was  put  in  execution.  A  boy,  seen  swim- 
ming across  the  river  between  Boston  and  Charlestown,  gave 
a  suspicion  he  was  carrying  some  intelligence ;  he  was  accord- 
ingly taken  up  and  examined,  when,  after  some  time,  a  letter 
was  found  in  his  stocking-foot,  which  led  to  the  discovery. 

As  everybody  is  anxious  for  the  fate  of  the  town  of  Boston, 
on  account  of  the  king's  troops  being  in  it,  and  their  opinions 
being  very  various  in  regard  to  the  possibility  of  its  holding 
out  against  the  American  army,  an  account  of  its  situation, 
strength,  &c.,  may  not  be  improper,  as  from  this  account  the 
public  may  form  a  better  judgment  of  it. 

Boston  is  the  capital  of  New  England ;  lies  in  long.  71°  5' 
W.,  lat.  42°  24'  N. ;  and  although  London  is  in  lat.  51°  30' N., 
yet  the  winters  are  much  severer  there  than  at  London,  and  the 
harbor  is  generally  frozen  up ;  the  summers,  also,  are  hotter. 

It  is  situated  on  a  peninsula,  at  the  bottom  of  a  fine  bay,  and 
is  joined  to  the  continent  by  a  neck  of  land,  which  forms  a  road 
near  one  mile  in  length,  which  has  lately  been  fortified  in  a 
very  strong  manner  with  redoubts,  chevaux  de  frize,  and  a 
large  number  of  cannon.  This  is  the  only  avenue  to  the  town 
on  the  land  side. 

The  town  contains  between  four  and  five  thousand  houses, 
and  about  twenty  thousand  inhabitants ;  but  near  two-thirds  of 


54  BUNKER    HILL. 

these  are  supposed  to  have  quitted  it,  and  gone  to  other  parts 
of  America,  or  joined  their  army ;  and  most  of  those  who  are 
left  profess  themselves  steady  friends  to  government. 

The  laws  relating  to  the  poor  are  upon  such  a  plan  that 
there  are  no  beggars  in  any  part  of  America. 

The  account  of  the  Scotch  soldier  being  killed  by  his  brother 
at  Charlestown,  as  mentioned  in  the  "Gazetteer"  of  the  7th  of 
August,  I  rather  think  has  been  manufactured  here  by  some 
news-collector,  as  I  never  heard  the  least  account  of  it  whilst 
at  Boston. 

About  the  harbor  the  town  forms  the  shape  of  a  crescent, 
and  the  country  rising  gradually  behind  it,  affords  a  very  agree- 
able prospect.  It  is  surrounded  by  a  number  of  islands,  on  one 
of  which,  at  about  a  league  distance,  is  built  a  castle  to  com- 
mand the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  and  is  very  well  fortified. 

The  entrance  into  the  harbor  is  not  wide  enough  for  above 
three  sail  at  a  time,  but  is  capable  of  containing  above  five 
hundred  sail. 

A  pier  has  been  built  at  the  bottom  of  the  bay,  near  seven 
hundred  yards  long,  on  the  north  of  which  is  built  a  row  of 
warehouses  for  the  use  of  the  merchants ;  and  the  water  is  so 
very  deep  that  they  can  conveniently  unload  without  the  help 
of  boats. 

The  streets  are  very  commodious  and  large,  particularly  that 
which  extends  from  the  town-house  to  the  pier. 

Across  Charles  River,  directly  opposite  Boston,  Charlestown 
is  situated  on  a  peninsula,  which  contained  about  three  hundred 
houses,  a  church,  and  some  public  buildings. 

A  ferry  is  established  across  the  river,  which  is  about  two 
hundred  yards  wide,  for  the  ready  communication  between  the 
two  towns. 

The  only  possible  method  of  annoying  Boston  was  from  this 
quarter;  but  since  Lieutenant-general  Gage  has  been  in  pos- 
session of  it,  he  has  been  fortifying  it  very  strongly  towards  the 
peninsula  ;  and  whilst  he  keeps  possession  of  it,  Boston  cannot 
be  set  on  fire  except  by  those  on  the  inside  of  it. 

The  American  army  have  also  begun  to  fortify  a  hill  at  a  small 
distance,  called  Prospect  Hill.     At  present  they  have  not  been 


clakke's  nakratiye.  55 

uniformly  clothed,  but  both  officers  and  soldiers  wore  their  own 
clothes ;  nor  did  I  see  any  colors  to  their  regiments  on  the  day 
of  action.  Their  firelocks  are  very  long,  some  near  seven  feet ; 
and  they  had  fifes  and  drums.  Their  men  are  in  general  very 
robust,  and  larger  than  the  English. 

In  this  situation,  by  the  latest  accounts,  are  the  two  armies  ; 
but  if  any  material  occurrences  happen,  the  author,  having 
settled  a  correspondence  at  Boston,  will  give  the  public  a 
further  account  of  them,  and  would  take  it  as  a  very  particular 
obligation  to  be  informed  of  any  by  a  line,  directed  for  him  at 
Mr.  Millan's,  bookseller,  at  Whitehall. 

As  thirty-six  years  of  the  author's  life  have  been  spent  in  the 
service  of  his  late  and  present  Majesty,  he  hopes  that  the  indul- 
gent public  and  the  curious  critic  w^ill  therefore  look  upon  him 
as  a  soldier,  not  as  a  writer,  and  excuse  any  incorrectness  in  his 
language,  or  defect  of  style,  as  what  he  has  aimed  at  has  only 
been  to  give  a  plain  narrative  of  real  facts  ;  if  he  gives  satisfac- 
tion in  that,  he  will  think  himself  completely  happy. 

POSTSCRIPT. 

Having  promised  the  public  to  communicate  any  intelligence 
that  I  might  receive  from  America,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  pre- 
senting them  witli  extracts  from  three  letters  just  received: 
two  from  Boston,  the  other  from  Savannah,  in  Georgia  ;  the  last 
of  which  shows  how  fast  the  spirit  of  opposition  to  government 
is  travelling  through  the  whole  continent  of  America,  as  now 
the  two  Floridas  only  are  wanting  to  complete  the  whole  conti- 
nent, from  Boston  to  the  south  being  engaged. 

Boston,  July  18,  1775. 

Every  thing  here  at  present  is  quiet ;  and  it  is  thought  by 
almost  everybody  that  each  side  will  remain  on  the  defensive 
during  the  remainder  of  the  summer,  in  order  to  see  what 
pacific  negotiations  may  produce  during  the  winter,  and  par- 
ticularly to  wait  the  decision  of  the  British  Parliament. 

The  Americans  still  continue  to  throw  up  fortifications  at  a 
small  distance  from  Bunker's  Hill,  to  prevent  the  regulars 
from  advancing  on  that  side. 


56  BUNKER    HILL. 

It  has  been  reported  that  Lieutenant-general  Gage  and 
Admiral  Graves  are  ordered  home ;  but  you  may  depend  upon 
it,  that  there  is  not  the  least  foundation  for  such  a  report ; 
however,  Major-general  Burgoyne  is  certainly  going  to  England 
very  soon. 

The  following  anecdote  of  British  valor  in  a  grenadier  of 
the  God  regiment  I  am  confident  will  give  you  pleasure :  — 

Captain  Horsford  having  been  wounded,  and  Lieutenant 
Dalrymple  killed,  a  Serjeant  of  the  grenadiers  told  the  private 
men.  You  now  see,  my  lads,  that  our  brave  captain  is  greatly 
wounded,  and  the  lieutenant  killed ;  now,  I  have  the  honor  to 
command  you  ;  therefore  let  us  get  into  their  trenches  as  fast 
as  possibly  we  can,  for  we  must  either  conquer  or  die.  The 
Serjeant  upon  this,  and  the  few  men  whom  he  had  left,  were 
the  first  who  entered  the  redoubt  of  the  provincial  army. 
Lieutenant-general  Gage,  for  this  brave  behavior,  has  recom- 
mended him  to  his  Majesty  ;  and  it  is  thought  that  his  Majesty 
will  honor  the  Serjeant  with  a  commission  in  one  of  the  regi- 
ments here. 

Boston,  July  23,  1775. 

A  detachment  from  the  provincial  army  has  very  lately  made 
a  descent  on  Long  Island,  carried  oiT  all  the  cattle,  and  burnt 
about  sixty  houses.  They  also  destroyed  the  light-house  at 
the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  which  will  prove  of  great  detri- 
ment to  the  shipping. 

As  fresh  provisions  and  vegetables  have  lately  been  so  very 
scarce,  it  has  had  a  bad  effect  on  the  health  of  the  inhabitants  ; 
and  tliey  already  feel  it,  by  beginning  to  be  afflicted  with  the 
scurvy.  This  has  induced  many  of  the  best  families  to  think 
of  quitting,  and  they  are  preparing  to  sail  for  England. 

Although  the  Amcrijcan  army  does  not  seem  to  be  disposed 
for  acting  offensively  this  campaign,  yet  they  are  taking  every 
step  necessary  for  making  a  vigorous  defence  against  the  next. 

Savannah,  Georgia,  June  10,  1775. 

This  place  is  so  involved  in  the  American  disputes  that  I 
am  afraid  it  will  be  ruined.     A  number  of  mad-headod  fellows 


CLARKE  S   NARRATIYE.  5  I 

(who  call  themselves  Sons  of  Liberty),  headed  by  a  merchant 
or  two  of  this  place,  two  nights  before  the  king's  birthday, 
tumbled  the  cannons  from  the  battery  down  the  bank  of  the 
river,  that  they  might  not  fire  on  that  day,  and  spiked  up  the 
touch-holes  of  every  one  of  tliera  ;  and  because  some  captains 
of  vessels,  with  their  men,  and  other  well-affected  gentlemen  of 
the  town,  with  indefatigable  pains,  and  after  working  the 
whole  night,  got  them  up  again,  they  had  the  assurance  to  go 
to  some  and  write  to  others  to  leave  the  province  in  seven 
days.  Next  Tuesday  the  time  expires,  and  they  seem  deter- 
mined to  compel  tliem  to  go ;  but  we  are  resolved  to  oppose 
them  with  all  our  power. 

They  even  went  to  a  house  on  Monday,  when  the  governor 
and  council  were  dining  together,  and,  a  large  body  of  them 
having  assembled,  set  up  what  they  call  a  Liberty-Tree,  with  a 
white  flag,  under  which  they  discharged  forty-five  guns,  and 
drank  success  to  the  American  arms.  You  may  be  sure  I  was 
not  to  be  idle  at  seeing  such  proceedings,  and,  being  a  little 
elevated  with  drinking  his  Majesty's  health,  got  into  the  scuffle, 
lost  my  hat  and  wig,  and  in  return  brought  away  a  black  eye, 
a  swelled  lip,  and  lost  a  little  of  the  bark  of  my  nose. 

The  country  people  are  flocking  in  to  their  assistance  ;  but 
those  who  intend  to  support  the  governor  in  opposing  their  un- 
lawful attempts  are  to  meet  him  and  the  council  to-morrow,  to 
concert  methods  for  opposing  them  ;  and  I  assure  you  I  intend 
to  make  one  at  the  meeting ;  and  our  number  will  be  nearly 
equal,  it  is  imagined. 


OFFICERS  DEAD  OF  THEIR  WOUNDS. 

Captain  Averne,  of  the  marines. 
Captain  Lyon,  of  the  35th  regiment. 
Lieutenant  Thompson,  of  the  52d  regiment. 
Major  Spendlove,  of  the  43d  regiment. 
Lieutenant  Yerner,  of  the  10th  regiment. 


58 


BUNKER    HILL. 


PROMOTIONS  IN  AMERICA  SINCE  JUNE   17,   1775. 


3giment. 

4th. 

Halcott,  Lieutenant    . 

vice  Rooke 

Preferred 

5? 

Fish,  Quartermaster  . 

„     Rooke 

JJ 

Butler,  Lieutenant 

„     Knight     . 

Killed. 

?? 

Kemble,  Ensign     .     . 

.     „     Butler 

5th. 

Smith,  Captain       .     . 

.     „     Bownes    . 

Deceased 

?) 

Baker,  Captain-lie utenan 

t    ,,     Smith 

J? 

Minchin,  Lieutenant  . 

„     Baker 

?j 

England,  Ensign    .     . 

„     Minchin 

)» 

Charlton,  Lieutenant  . 

„     Jackson    . 

Deceased 

14th. 

Browne,  Lieutenant    . 

„     B rue re 

Killed. 

?? 

Grant,  Ensign    .     .     . 

.     „     Browne 

22d. 

Campbell,  Lieutenant-col 

.    ,,     Abercromby  Deceased 

j» 

French,  Major  .     .     .     . 

„     Campbell 

?) 

Handfield,  Captain     . 

.     „     French    *• 

V 

Fenner,  Captain-lieut. 

.     „     Handfield 

)5 

Forter,  Ensign  .     .     . 

„     French 

85th. 

Ross,  Lieutenant    .     .     . 

„     Pringle     . 

Deceased 

?5 

Madden,  Ensign     .     . 

.     „     Ross 

?) 

Lamb,  Lieutenant . 

„     Bard    .     . 

Killed. 

55 

Shaw,  Ensign    .     .     . 

.     „     Lamb 

38th. 

Sargent,  Lieutenant    . 

.     „     Button     . 

Killed. 

?) 

Dorcus,  Ensign      .     .  • 

„     Sargent 

?5 

Moncrieffe,  Ensign      .     . 

„     Halcot 

Preferred 

43d. 

Dawson,  Lieutenant  . 

„     Hull  .     . 

Deceased. 

55 

Rivers,  Ensign  .     .     . 

„     Dawson 

47th. 

Poe,  Lieutenant 

„     Gold   .     . 

Deceased. 

55 

Bunbury,  Ensign    .     . 

.     „     Poe^ 

55 

Baldwin,  Lieutenant  . 

„     Hilliard    . 

Killed. 

55 

Dowling,  Ensign    .     . 

„     Baldwin 

52d. 

Humphreys,  Major     . 

.     „     Williams . 

Killed. 

55 

Neilson,  Captain    .     . 

„     Humphreys 

55 

Crawford,  Captain . 

„     Addison   . 

Killed. 

55 

Thompson,  Captain     . 

„     Davison 

5^ 

55 

Rooke,  Captain      .     . 

„     Smith 

55 

J> 

Mackilwaine,  Capt-lieut. 

„    Neilson 

CLAEKES   NAERATIVE. 


59 


Regiment. 

52d. 


59th. 
63d. 


5J 

65th. 


Hunter,  Lieutenant     . 
Chetwynd,  Lieutenant 
Fuge,  Lieutenant  . 
Graeme,  Lieutenant 
Harrison,  Ensign  . 
Yans,  Ensign    .     . 
Brookes,  Ensign     . 
Mackay,  Adjutant 
Gordon,  Quartermaster 
Roberts,  Lieutenant 
Drury,  Ensign  .     . 
Watson,  Captain    . 
Baylie,  Lieutenant 
Hardy,  Ensign .     . 


dc( 

3  Mackilwaine. 

)> 

Crawfurd. 

5> 

Thompson. 

)) 

Higgins    . 

Deceased 

5> 

Hunter. 

>5 

Chetwynd. 

5? 

Fuge. 

J> 

Graeme. 

?) 

Owen  .     . 

Deceased 

5? 

Dahymple 

Killed. 

>? 

Roberts. 

J5 

Hudson     . 

Killed. 

JJ 

Watson. 

)J 

Baylie. 

MARINES. 
Major  Chudleigh  .     .       vice  Pitcairn. 


„       Souter  .     .     . 

Short. 

Captain  Lindsay     .     . 

Chudleigh 

A.  Walker     . 

Souter. 

„        Ross    .     .     . 

Campbell. 

„         D.  Johnston 

Ellis. 

Capt.-lieut.  J.  Adair  .     . 

Lindsay. 

„         Sir  J.  Dalston 

Walker. 

„         Hadden    .     . 

Ross. 

„         Pitcairn    .     . 

Johnston. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Lewis  Potter 

Robert  Moore  Cary 

Thos.  Woodcock  Ronald  McDonald 
Tantum. 


Second  Lieutenants. 

Bowman 

Dunbar 

Morrison 

Forester 

Moriarty 

Fortescue. 

Dexter 

60  BUNKER  HILL. 


X. 

BATTLE    OF    BUNKER   HLLL.i 

BY   A   BRITISH    SOLDIER. 


'TPHE  seventeenth,  at  break  of  day, 
-■-       The  Yankees  did  surprise  us 
With  the  strong  works  they  had  thrown  up, 
To  burn  the  town  and  drive  us. 


But  soon  we  had  an  order  come, 

An  order  to  defeat  them  ; 
With  three  good  flints  and  sixty  rounds, 

Each  soldier  hoped  to  beat  them. 

At  noon  we  marched  to  the  Long  Wharf, 

Wliere  boats  were  ready  waiting ; 
With  expedition  we  embarked, 

Our  ships  kept  cannonading. 

And  soon  our  boats  all  filled  were, 

With  officers  and  soldiers, 
With  as  good  troops  as  England  had, 

T'  oppose  who  dared  control  us. 

And  when  our  boats  all  filled  were. 

We  rowed  in  line  of  battle ; 
With  grenadiers  and  infantry, 

While  grape-shot  loud  did  rattle. 

^  This  was  written  by  a  common  soldier,  who  deserted  to  the  AmericaVig, 
and  used  to  sing  it  in  their  camps.  Bonjamin  Russell,  who  repeated  it  to  a 
friend,  declared  it  perfectly  accurate  in  its  facts. 


BATTLE    OF    BUNKEK   HILL.  61 

And  when  we  landed  on  the  shore, 

We  formed  in  Ihie  together  ; 
The  Yankee  boys  then  manned  their  works, 

And  swore  we  shouldn't  come  thither. 

Brave  General  Howe,  on  our  right  wing, 

Cried,  "Boys,  fight  on  like  thunder  ; 
You  soon  shall  see  these  rebels  flee, 

With  great  amaze  and  wonder." 

But  such  stout  Whigs  I  never  saw ; 

To  hang  them  all  I'd  rather. 
Than  mow  their  hay  with  musket  balls 

And  buck-shot  mixed  together. 

As  for  their  king,  that  John  Hancock, 

And  Adams,  if  they're  taken. 
Their  heads  for  signs  we'll  raise  aloft 

Upon  their  hill  called  Beacon. 

But  our  conductor,  he  got  broke. 

For  his  misconduct,  sure,  sir  ; 
The  shot  he  sent  for  twelve-pound  guns 

Were  made  for  twenty-fours,  sir. 


62  BUNKER  HILL. 


XI. 

THE  BATTLE  OP  BUNKER  HILL.i 


nV/TEANWHILE,  the  British  forces  held  at  bay, 
•^^-^     Coop'd  up  in  Boston,  there  inactive  lay  ; 
But  reinforc'd  and  scorning  dull  repose, 
•     They  rouz'd  t'  attack  their  bold  surrounding  foes. 
Determin'd  now  their  enemies  t'  offend. 
Beyond  their  former  bounds  their  lines  t'  extend  ; 
The  chiefs  resolv'd  to  seize  on  Bunker's  hill, 
Which  amply  prov'd  their  military  skill. 
Ere  the  detatchment  to  the  place  was  sent. 
Their  foes  advanc'd  to  frustrate  their  intent; 
For  under  covert  of  the  friendly  night, 
Warren  had  seiz'd,  and  fortify'd  that  height ; 
The  colonists  must  be  dislodg'd  from  thence. 
Whatever  was  the  dreadful  consequence  ; 
About  two  thousand  were  embark'd  to  go 
'Gainst  the  redoubt,  and  formidable  foe  ; 
The  Lively's,  Falcon's,  Fame's,  and  Glasgow's  roar, 
Cover'd  their  landing  on  the  destin'd  shore ; 
They  form'd,  and  part  towards  the  trenches  sped ; 
Th'  intrepid  Howe  those  vet'ran  forces  led. 
The  trenches,  and  redoubt,  were  trebly  mann'd, 
Howe  wisely  made  a  necessary  stand  ; 
For  reinforcements  sent,  soon  as  he  view'd 
The  well-arm'd,  congregating  multitude, 

^  This  fragment  is  extracted  from  a  poem  entitled  **  The  American 
War,"  by  George  Cockings,  printed  in  London,  in  1781.  It  is  not  found 
in  any  American  authority  I  have  seen. 


THE   BATTLE    OF   BUXKER   HILL.  63 

We  may  conclude  he  thus  the  troops  address'd 

(Whose  flagging  spirits  seemed  to  be  depress'd), 

March  boklly  on,  your  cause  is  just,  and  good, 

Th'  insurgents  have  the  parliament  withstood, 

The  legislature's  acts  have  set  aside, 

And  have  Great  Britain's  martial  power  defy'd  I 

The  British  chiefs  began  to  pant  for  fame, 

Their  souls  were  full  of  emulating  flame  ; 

Prepar'd  t'  advance  to  stem  the  growing  tide 

Of  thousands,  rushing  in  on  ev'ry  side. 

Well  pleas'd  the  gen'ral  look'd  around  and  saw  , 

The  sympathetic  manly  martial  glow : 

He  ceas'd,  and  fac'd  towards  the  strong  redoubt, 

The  troops  sent  forth  a  loud  approving  shout ; 

Not  that  exulting  shout,  when  they  advance 

'Gainst  Spanish  foes,  or  vet'ran  troops  of  France  ; 

But  on  they  march'd,  to  give  the  dreadful  storm ; 

And  do  whatever  mortals  could  perform ! 

On  Boston's  shore,  Burgoyne  and  Clinton  stood 

And  ev'ry  movement  of  the  forces  view'd, 

Prepar'd  to  speed  their  timely  aid  to  lend, 

Or  from  the  spot  destructive  war  to  send  ; 

They^learn'd  that  Charles-town  must  be  wrapp'd  in  flame  : 

Or  Britain's  troops  retire  with  tarnish'd  fame, 

Another  corps  'gainst  Charles-town  made  a  stand. 

With  good  provincial  troops  completely  mann'd ; 

Here  the  firm  animating  Pigot  fought. 

His  warlike  flame  the  gallant  leaders  caught ; 

The  privates  felt  its  force,  from  man  to  man, 

T'  excel  in  fight  an  emulation  ran. 

They  steadily  advanc'd,  on  conquest  bent ; 

A  mortal  sliow'r  of  lead  incessant  sent; 

Th'  Americans  likewise  for  conquest  burn'd, 

And  a  like  mortal  show'r  of  lead  return'd  ; 

Maintain'd  the  town,  and  resolutely  strove 

To  harass  Howe,  as  up  the  hill  he  drove  ; 

But  vexM  by  bursting  shells,  and  show'rs  of  balls, 

Or  crushed  by  falling  roofs  or  batter'd  walls, 


64  BUN^KER   HILL. 

They  felt  discomfiture  ;  and  now  there  came 

A  flight  of  sliells,  fraught  with  destructive  flame  ! 

A  scene  ensu'd  might  fill  the  brave  with  dread ; 

From  house  to  house  the  conflagration  spread  ; 

Ear-piercing  shrieks  ;  heart-rending  groans,  and  cries  ; 

And  terrifying  shouts  of  vict'ry  rise  ; 

Amidst  the  desolating  wild  uproar, 

Forth  rush'd  th'  inhabitants  from  ev'ry  door ; 

To  sex,  nor  age,  no  place  an  azyle  yields ; 

In  crouds  they  ran  and  sought  th'  adjacent  fields  ; 

Swifter  than  they  the  rapid  bullets  flew. 

And  some  ill-fated  persons  overthrew ; 

From  hope  excluded,  in  a  wild  dismay. 

The  town  untenable,  the  troops  gave  way ; 

To  Bunker's  Hill  they  fled,  and  in  their  rear, 

In  close  pursuit,  the  regulars  drew  near ; 

The  trenches  gain'd,  they  fac'd  and  made  a  stand. 

And  intermix'd  with  Warren's  chosen  band ; 

FoUow'd  by  Pigot  with  a  martial  frown, 

Wrapp'd  in  the  vapour  of  the  burning  town. 

For  battle  warm'd  with  military  skill, 
Howe  led  two  thousand  up  the  dang'rous  hill, 
Where  hostile  parties  under  covert  lay, 
T'  impede  his  march,  and  strike  with  cold  dismay. 
Now,  Warren  frowning  rouz'd  (erect  he  stood). 
From  right  to  left,  his  must'ring  forces  view'd ; 
From  man  to  man,  he  saw  with  great  delight. 
Resentment  flash'd,  with  readiness  to  fight ; 
Prepar'd  to  speak,  the  troops  attentive  hung 
On  the  persuasive  accents  of  his  tongue. 
Now,  my  brave  friends,  your  innate  worth  display  ; 
Great  Britain's  regulars  advance  this  way ; 
Soldiers,  and  sailors,  seem  dispos'd  around. 
To  drive  us  from  this  advantageous  ground  ; 
Th'  artill'ry's  landed  on  th'  adjacent  shore. 
Their  naval  thunder  hath  begun  to  roar ; 


THE    BATTLE    OF   BUNKER   HILL.  65 

On  Bostons  shore  their  batteries  they  ply ; 
From  whence  the  show'rs  of  shells  incessant  fly  ; 
Already  Charles-town  at  their  mercy  lies  ; 
The  lambent  flames  and  clouds  of  smoke  arise  ; 
That  obstacle  no  longer  proves  a  bar ; 
And  this  way  comes  the  tumult  of  the  war. 
Tho'  Gage  ten  thousand  well-train'd  troops  may  boast, 
Join'd  by  the  British  fleet  t'  infest  our  coast ; 
Tho'  'mongst  their  chiefs  (vet'rans  in  war  renowned), 
Howe,  Clinton,  Pigot  and  Burgoyne,  are  found ; 
Tho'  Pitcairne's,  Montcrief's,  Abercrombie's  name, 
Tho'  gallant  Percy's,  swells  the  list  of  fame  ; 
Tho'  Sherwin,  Addison,  Page,  Bruce  and  Small, 
Attend  on  Howe,  at  honour's  glorious  call ; 
Tho'  Williams,  Campbell,  Smith,  with  many  more, 
Skilful  in  war  now  tread  th'  Atlantic  shore  ; 
Tho'  steady  Carleton  widely  spreads  alarms, 
And  Dunmore  our  Virginian  negroes  arms ; 
I  see  no  cause  for  fear  my  friends,  since  we 
Have  Putnam,  Pribble,  Washington  and  Lee  ; 
Arnold,  Montgom'ry,  Gates,  Macpherson  bold. 
Already  in  the  list  of  fame  inroll'd  ; 
Lamb,  Wooster,  Schuyler,  Hendricks,  Cheeseman,  go 
With  these,  in  Canada,  to  fight  the  foe ; 
We've  Woodford  'gainst  Dunmore  ;  we've  Gardner  too, 
Who  stands  determin'd  now  within  your  view ; 
Ward,  Prescott,  Thomas,  Heath,  and  more  beside. 
Will  stand  the  test  whene'er  in  battle  tried. 
I  grant  it  may  prove  difficult  to  bar, 
The  dreadful  progress  of  Great  Britain's  war ! 
Whatever  single  state  provokes  her  frown. 
Shrinks  from  her  war  ;  and  trembles  for  the  crown  ; 
United  France  and  Spain  have  often  felt 
The  vengeance  which  lier  troops  and  tars  have  dealt ; 
But  then,  we  sent  her  from  our  friendly  shores. 
Provisions,  timber,  ships,  and  naval  stores ; 
And  in  her  quarrel  (on  the  continent). 
We  risk'd  our  lives ;  our  blood,  and  treasure  spent ; 

9 


66  BUJ^KER   HILL. 

Now,  we  are  torn  from  her  dismember'd  side ; 

Twelve  rising  states  in  arms,  her  claims  deny'd ; 

And  her  (European)  neighb'ring  states  around, 

In  private  wish  we  were  with  conquest  crown'd ; 

Will  fraudful  smile  on  her,  will  us  befriend ; 

And  under  covert  their  assistance  lend. 

Like  to  th'  invaders  of  our  native  land, 

We  station'd  here  on  the  defence  to  stand ; 

Prom  Wales,  Great  Britain  and  Hibernia  sprung ; 

Our  nerves  for  war,  with  equal  vigor  strung ; 

Our  hearts  as  firm  as  theirs,  our  blood  the  same, 

Which  swells  our  veins,  and  animates  each  frame ; 

Th'  event  with  perseverance  let  us  wait, 

Some  wish'd  for  change,  a  terrible  defeat ; 

Or  providential  stroke  of  mighty  fate, 

May  all  our  daring  foes  intimidate  ; 

To  Heav'n  appealing,  we  for  succour  fly, 

And  for  success  on  Providence  rely  ; 

I  doubt  not  but  we  shall  experience  yet, 

"  Qui  nos  transtulit,  semper  sustinet." 

Altho'  shou'd  be  by  ruling  Heav'n  decreed, 

We  shall  at  present  unsuccessful  bleed  ; 

I  forward  look  compos'd,  and  firmly  trust. 

When  we  are  mingled  with  our  kindred  dust, 

'Tis  his  decree  who  rules  above  the  skies 

We  shall  in  time  a  mighty  empire  rise. 

Should  Providence  ordain  that  we  must  fall. 

Let  us  with  chearfulness  obey  the  call  ; 

In  death,  we  shall  some  consolation  have, 

We  sink  with  honour  to  the  silent  grave  ; 

They  shouted  loud,  and  made  this  short  reply. 

We  will  be  free,  or  will  with  honour  die. 

Meanwhile,  the  British  chiefs  the  troops  inspir'd. 

Examples  rouz'd,  and  exhortations  fir'd : 

And  tho'  short  time  in  words  they  chose  to  waste. 

As  up  the  hill  they  press'd  with  martial  haste. 

Whilst  they  surmounted  every  hostile  bar, 

Their  deeds  aloud  proclaim'd  them  form'd  for  war. 


THE   BATTLE    OF   BUNKER   HILL.  (37 

The  charging  regulars  still  nearer  drew 
'Gainst  front,  and  flank,  and  hot  the  battle  grew  ; 
Whilst  Britain's  ships  of  war  maintain'd  the  fight, 
Directing  all  their  fire  'gainst  Bunker's  height. 
On  churches,  spires  and  lofty  domes  around, 
On  hills  adjacent,  and  each  rising  ground, 
Thronging  spectators,  anxious  thousands  stood, 
And  lost  in  grand  suspense  the  battle  view'd ; 
A  scene  of  carnage  !  obstinate  the  fight ! 
Tremendous,  pleasing,  horrid,  glorious  sight ! 

Gigantic  terrors  at  the  breastwork  frown'd  ; 
Solemn  and  slow,  advancing  o'er  the  ground  ; 
The  regulars  drew  near  in  awful  form. 
Like  Jove  attended  by  a  thunder-storm  ; 
They  mov'd  majestic  in  a  sulph'rous  cloud ; 
Britain's  brazen  engines  bellowing  loud  ; 
At  the  redoubt  appear'd  no  sign  of  fear. 
They  brought  their  brazen  thunder  well  to  bear ; 
On  rough  defence  seem'd  resolutely  bent ; 
And  down  the  hill  a  storm  of  iron  sent : 
Long  they  continu'd  thus,  and  either  side. 
Howitzers,  musquetry,  and  cannon  ply'd. 
Whilst  'gainst  great  obstacles  the  Britons  found. 
They  strove  t'  advance,  and  gain  superior  ground  ; 
Doubtless,  each  soldier  thought  he  shou'd  contend 
With  an  acquaintance,  brother,  or  a  friend ! 
At  least  'gainst  countrymen  shou'd  lift  his  hand. 
Sprung  from  Great  Britain's  or  Hibernia's  land  ! 
Their  resolution  stagger'd  when  they  saw 
The  danger  still  more  formidable  grow ! 
And  found  they  must  themselves  long  time  expose 
To  the  brisk  fire  of  their  well-sheltered  foes  ! 
From  rifled  tubes,  to  strike  the  chiefs  intent. 
With  deadly  aim  they  leaden  mischief  sent ; 
Whilst  in  conjunction,  their  artill'ry  made 
'Gainst  Britain's  troops,  a  mortal  cannonade ; 


68  BUNKER   niLL. 

Who,  quite  expos'd  without  the  batt'ring  aid, 

And  cover  of  tlicir  cannon  were  dismay'd  ; 

Thus  circumstanc'd  the  troops  had  like  t'  have  fled 

From  the  dread  spot,  where  Abercrombie  led ; 

Nor  did  they  seem  to  make  a  firmer  stand. 

Where  Howe,  th'  intrepid  Howe,  bore  chief  command  I 

From  flank  to  flank,  his  anxious  looks  he  cast, 

From  corps  to  corps  with  fearless  haste  lie  past ; 

Travers'd  the  line  of  hottest  hostile  fire  ; 

And  by  example,  strove  to  reinspire 

With  resolution,  those  who  seem'd  dismay'd. 

Irresolute  and  ready  to  recede. 

Small,  Sherwin,  Page  and  Addison,  were  found. 

Where  duty  call'd,  and  threat'ning  danger  iVown'd ; 

Both  exhortations  and  examples  fail'd, 

A  cooling  tremor  Britain's  troops  assail'd ! 

They  Iialted  in  suspense,  at  length  gave  way  ! 

"Regardless  of  the  honour  of  the  day ! 

When  the  provincial  officers  beheld 

The  royal  forces  stagger'd  and  repell'd  ; 

Elate  with  hope,  almost  with  vict'ry  crown'd  ; 

They  thus  address'd  their  troops  which  stood  around. 

Tliey  slack  their  fire  !  and  seem'd  to  stand  at  gaze  ! 

Like  those  whom  thunder  strikes  with  vast  amaze  ! 

Mark  liow  they  thin  !  on  ev'ry  side  they  bleed  ! 

Exert  yourselves  awhile  and  on  them  pour 

Of  lead  and  iron  mix'd  a  pond'rous  show'r ; 

No  time  for  recollection  let  them  have, 

Convince  them  North  Americans  are  brave. 

Meanwhile  the  British  persevering  chief, 
Whose  dauntless  soul  was  full  of  poignant  grief ; 
Alone,  and  in  the  rear,  retrod  the  ground ; 
Oft  fac'd  about,  and  grim  defiance  frown'd, 
(So  lagg'd  firm  Ajax  in  the  Grecian  rear. 
And  strove  to  banish  base  desponding  fear.) 
Howe  rais'd  his  voice  in  an  upbraiding  tone, 
Will  Britons  flee  !  and  leave  their  chief  alone  I 


THE    BATTLE    OF   BUNKER   HILL.  69 

Can  you  outlive  disgrace  ?  the  brave  disdain 

To  purchase  life  by  an  ignoble  stain ! 

Shall  wond'ring  nations  now  exulting  hear 

The  Trans-atlantics  fiU'd  our  souls  with  fear ! 

Rally,  return,  and  brisk  your  foes  assail ; 

Your  Britain's  regulars,  and  must  prevail. 

Reluctant,  Abercrombie  join'd  the  rout, 

Halt,  halt,  oft  call'd  aloud,  and  fac'd  about ; 

Halt,  halt,  from  chief  to  chief  flew  round ; 

Halt,  said  each  officer,  and  stood  his  ground  ; 

Oh  !  shame  !  they  cry'd,  that  ever  shou'd  be  said, 

Great  Britain's  vet'rans  from  militia  fled  ! 

And  left  their  officers  to  make  th'  attack  ! 

Whilst  they  ran  off !  or  from  the  fight  hung  back, 

We,  to  the  post  of  danger  first  lay  claim  ; 

We  will  stand  foremost  for  each  lev'lers  aim ; 

We  ask  no  more  than  that  you'll  boldly  tread 

The  path  of  honour,  where  you  see  us  lead ; 

In  British  annals  emulous  to  shine. 

They  rang'd  in  front,  a  formidable  line ; 

Rush'd  on,  'midst  blood,  sweat,  dust,  and  smoke,  and  flame  ; 

And  leaders  in  the  truest  sense  became.        ^  . 

Th'  undaunted  Pitcairne  now  their  hopes  reviv'd ; 

With  him  the  gallant  marine  corps  arriv'd  : 

Tlie  fifty-second's  grenadiers  with  these, 

Rush'd  on  the  palm  of  victory  to  seize ; 

Tho'  first  liumanity  their  souls  possest. 

And  sentiments  fraternal  warm'd  each  breast, 

Which  made  them  tardily  advance  to  fight. 

And  almost  to  commence  inglorious  flight ; 

When  they  beheld  their  chiefs  and  comrades  fall, 

And  heard  each  leader's  animating  call ; 

Saw  the  marines  and  Pitcairne  passing  by. 

They  fac'd  and  form'd  another  charge  to  try  ; 

Returning  ardor  banish'd  chilling  fear  ; 

The  chiefs  led  on  ;  and  they  brought  up  the  rear ;    . 

And  now  recover'd  from  their  former  dread. 

Over  the  wounded,  dying  and  the  dead, 


70  BUNKEK   HILL. 

They  trod  and  stumbled  with,  with  indignant  speed  ; 

And  as  they  saw  their  groaning  comrades  bleed  ; 

A  thirst  for  vengeance  and  desire  for  fame, 

Eill'd  every  soul  with  emulating  flame. 

When  Warren  saw  them  face  about,  and  form, 

And  onward  rush  to  give  another  storm  ; 

He  stood  alarm'd ;  the  consequence  he  fear'd  ; 

Conceal'd  his  thoughts,  and  thus  his  forces  chear  d  ; 

Again  recover'd  from  their  cold  dismay, 

The  rally'd  British  vet'rans  move  this  way  ; 

At  the  last  gasp  their  fainting  courage  lies ; 

The  warlike  glance  forsakes  their  languid  eyes ; 

Their  new  rekindling  courage  soon  will  fail. 

If  you  stand  firm  when  they  the  lines  assail ; 

Each  face  will  like  Medusa's  front  appear! 

And  fill  their  wav'ring  souls  again  with  fear  ! 

From  either  party  as  they  nearer  drew, 

Destructive  show'rs  of  balls  alternate  flew ; 

In  ev'ry  volley,  death  triumphant  rode  ; 

And  thro'  the  ranks  with  wasting  terror  strode  ; 

But  for  his  most  delicious  morsels  sought, 

Where  Pigot,  Howe,  Warren,  and  Gardner  fought ; 

Where  Williams,  Pitcairne,  Abercrombie,  turn'd, 

He  feasted  there  and  there  the  battle  burn'd. 

When  Pitcairne  fell,  his  son  advanc'd  in  view, 
Towards  the  spot  with  anxious  ardor  flew ; 
Tlio'  rage  and  love  his  steps  accelerate, 
To  guard  his  father's  life  he  came  too  late  ; 
Already,  death  had  launch'd  his  mortal  dart 
And  lodg'd  the  barb  in  the  bold  vet'ran's  heart ; ' 
Burning  for  vengeance  and  oppress'd  with  grief, 
With  filial  care,  he  rais'd  the  wounded  chief 
From  blood  and  dust  (as  decency  requir'd), 
And  from  the  carnage  of  the  field  retir'd  ; 
So  stainM  with  streams  of  warm  paternal  gore, 
Young  Scipio  from  the  field  his  father  bore. 


THE    BATTLE    OF   BUNKER   HILL.  71 

Another  son  (in  this  unnat'ral  strife) 

Was  doom'd  to  see  his  parent  robb'd  of  life  ! 

Whilst  rushing  on  elate,  at  glory's  call, 

With  grief  imbitter'd  by  his  father's  fall, 

The  gallant  Addison  suspended  stood  ; 

The  prostrate  dusty  sanguin'd  ruin  view'd ; 

Too  late,  like  Pitcairne's,  came  his  filial  aid  ; 

With  looks,  where  thoughts  of  vengeance  were  displayed, 

Like  him  (with  sad  regret,  and  tender  care) 

He  bore  the  lifeless  body  to  the  rear  ; 

From  mangling  feet  the  cold  remains  to  save, 

With  warlike  pomp  committed  to  the  grave. 

Howe,  Roden,  Pigot  press'd  to  closest  fight 

Warren  beheld  a  dread  soul-harrowing  sight ! 

Observ'd  his  troops  preparing  to  give  way ; 

And  mark'd  the  growing  symptoms  of  dismay  ! 

Aloud  he  call'd,  rouze  and  shake  off  your  fears ; 

Partners  in  fame,  my  friends,  and  volunteers  ; 

Bring  no  disgrace  on  the  provincial  arms  ; 

Have  children,  wives,  and  liberty  no  charms ! 

Your  children,  wives,  and  friends,  around  us  wait, 

Wound  not  their  souls  by  shameful  base  retreat ; 

Perhaps  on  us  this  day,  my  gallant  friends, 

Tlie  fate  of  North  America  depends ; 

Wou'd  you  outlive  the  fight,  and  see  your  lands. 

And  your  effects,  seiz'd  by  the  victor's  hands  ? 

Stung  to  the  quick  and  full  of  warlike  fire ; 

We'll  die  they  said,  before  we  will  retire ; 

They  shouted  loud  and  for  the  vict'ry  burnM  ; 

The  charging  regulars  the  shout  return'd. 

Whilst  both  contending  parties  (in  the  strife) 
Struggled  for  victory,  for  fame,  and  life  ; 
Clinton  with  circumspection  ready  stood, 
And  a  large  British  reinforcement  view'd ; 
Who  seem'd  embarrass'd ;  scarce  knew  where  to  speed 
With  succour  in  the  time  of  dang'rous  need ; 


72  BUNKER   HILL. 

Most  nobly  rouzM,  impatient  of  delay  ; 

He  gain'd  the  shore,  and  led  the  glorious  way ; 

Instant  toward  the  foe,  their  front  they  turn'd ; 

Each  caught  the  flame  and  for  the  battle  burn'd. 

So  when  Pel  ides  saw  the  Grecians  stand 

Irresolutely,  on  the  Phrygian  strand, 

He  join'd  his  friends  with  animating  glow, 

Eouz'd,  chear'd,  and  led  them  'gainst  th'  exulting  foe. 

Meanwhile,  the  first  assailants,  unsustain'd, 

'Midst  dreadful  carnage,  had  the  summit  gain'd 

Convinc'd  they  must  a  rapid  effort  make. 

Their  honours,  victory  and  lives  at  stake. 

Examples  drew  towards  the  hostile  fence, 

With  more  than  Ciceronian  eloquence  ; 

Come  on  ;  come  on  ;  the  mounting  leaders  cry'd ; 

We  come  ;  we  come  ;  the  regulars  reply'd : 

O'er  all  impediments  they  dauntless  bound 

With  Gorgon  fronts,  and  spread  dismay  around ; 

Confusion  and  dispersion  soon  ensu'd. 

Except  where  Warren  and  his  party  stood ; 

Fierce  the  provincials  fought,  and  fearless  bled. 

Where  the  great  oratorial  Warren  led ; 

He  fac'd  grim  danger  with  an  heart  elate ; 

At  length,  a  rapid  ball  came  wing'd  with  fate ; 

And  cut  th'  intrepid  rhetorician  down, 

Scorning  retreat,  and  panting  for  renown ; 

His  potent  language  cou'd  the  mind  controul ; 

Eekindle  fainting  courage  in  the  soul ; 

Cou'd  make  the  coolest  troops  with  ardor  glow ; 

And  rush  in  storms  of  death  upon  the  foe  ; 

With  him  the  spirit  of  the  battle  fled ; 

From  right  to  left  a  consternation  spread ; 

On  ev'ry  side  tlie  colonists  gave  ground ; 

The  regulars  indignant  gathered  round  ; 

O'er  trendies,  fences,  and  each  palisade, 

A  passage  like  an  inundation  made ; 

Bore  all  resistance  down,  gain'd  the  redoubt, 

And  put  tlie  firm  provincial  troops  to  rout. 


THE   BATTLE    OF   BUNKER  HILL.  73 

With  conquest  flusli'd,  with  hard-earii'd  vict'ry  crown'd, 

Brave  Howe  and  Pigot  now  possess'd  the  ground, 

The  rising  ground  from  whence  provincials  fled ; 

And  up  the  hill  the  gallant  Clinton  led 

A  reinforcement,  which  was  near  at  hand, 

In  hasty  march  from  Charlestown's  hostile  strand ; 

Burgoyne  observant  stood,  ready  to  speed, 

Where  any  shou'd  a  timely  succour  need ; 

And  ev'ry  soldier  long'd  at  honours  call 

To  grace  with  dreadful  pomp  his  comrade's  fall ; 

Tho'  for  success  all  seemingly  combin'd, 

With  sage  precaution  Howe  the  chase  declin'd ; 

With  circumspection  mov'd,  and  wou'd  not  dare, 

To  hazard  a  defeat  in  Putnam's  snare. 

From  the  redoubt  the  lines  to  Cambridge  ran, 
Trench  lay  near  trench,  and  man  supported  man; 
Each  eminence  was  fortih'd  around. 
And  ambuscades  possess'd  the  lower  ground  ; 
Here  Putnam,  Pribble,  Ward,  and  Thomas  stay'd 
To.  check  pursuit,  and  pour  in  friendly  aid  ; 
Prescott  and  Heath  were  near  with  all  their  force, 
T'  oppose  the  victors  in  their  destin'd  course. 
The  diff'rent  parties  seemed  resolv'd  t'  abide 
In  each  well  chosen  post  tliey  occupy'd ; 
Altho'  their  routed  friends  might  help  require, 
They  wou'd  not  pass  the  line  of  naval  fire, 
Whilst  the  provincials  from  their  late  defeat. 
Fil'd  off,  and  strove  to  make  a  good  retreat ; 
This  to  effect  they  must  dctcrmin'd  push. 
As  if  thro'  death's  expanded  jaws  to  rush  ! 
A  victor  foe  threaten'd  their  broken  rear ; 
Frigates  and  floating  batteries  lay  near. 
Across  their  path,  in  front,  and  flank,  to  rake, 
A  dreadful,  desolating  sweep  to  make  ; 
And  cut  off  ev'ry  hope  of  fresh  supply, 
Tho'  twenty  thousand  well-arm'd  friends  were  nigh ! 

10 


74  BUNKER  HILL. 


xn. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  ROYAL   MARINES,  1775. 


THE  following  is  an  extract  from  the  marine-battalion 
orders  of  tlie  20th  of  May,  1775 :  — 
"  The  Right  Honorable  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the 
Admiralty  having  directed  a  reinforcement  of  marines  to  serve 
under  Major  Pitcairne  in  General  Gage's  army,  consisting  of 
two  majors,  ten  captains,  twenty-seven  subalterns,  two  adju- 
tants, one  surgeon,  two  assistant-surgeons,  twenty-eight  Ser- 
jeants, twenty-five  corporals,  twenty  drummers,  six  hundred 
privates,  the  commanding  officer  deems  it  necessary,  for  the 
good  of  the  service,  to  form  the  whole  under  his  command 
into  two  battalions  :  — 

GRENADIERS. 

Officers  in  First  Battalion.  Officers  in  Second  Battalion, 

Thomas  Avarne,  captain.  George  Logan. 

William  Finney,  1st  lieutenant.  Alexander  Brisbane. 
George  Ye  vers,  ,,  Francis  Gardner. 

First  Company. 

Stawel  Chudleigh,  captain.  Hon.  John  Maitland,  captain. 
Richard  Shea,  1st  lieutenant.     Jesse  Adair,  1st  lieut.    '' 
Hewes,              ,,                 Roland  Carter,     „ 

Second  Company. 

Stephen  Ellis,  captain.  Charles  Chandless,  captain. 

James  Robertson,  1st  lieut.       Fenton  Griffiths,  1st  lieutenant. 
P.  D.  Robertson,  2d       „  Henry  D'Oyley,  2d        „ 


ORGANIZATIOI^^   OF   THE   KOYAL   MARINES.  iO 

Third  Company. 
Tliomas  Lindsay,  captain.  Thomas  Groves,  captain. 

William  Lycett,  1st  lieut.  John  Hadden,  1st  lieutenant. 

David  Collins,  2d        „  Titus  Conyers,  „ 

Fourth  Company. 

William  Forster,  captain.  Samuel  Davys,  captain. 

Wm.  Graham,  1st  lieutenant.   Walter  Nugent,  1st  lieutenant. 
I:5aac  Potter,  2d  „  Robert  Carey,  2d  „ 

Fifth  Company. 

Eobert  Ross,  captain.  Edward  Henvill,  captain. 

Clias.  Steward,  1st  lieutenant.    Thomas  Biggs,  1st  lieutenant. 
Jonas  Matthews,  1st  lieut.         James  Lewis,  2d         „ 

Sixth  Company. 

William  Sabine,  captain.  George  Elliott,  captain. 

B.  M'Donald,  2d  lieutenant.        Alex.  M'Donald,  1st  lieut. 
Henry  Tantum,         „  John  France,  „ 

Seventh  Company. 

J.  H.  Branson,  captain.  Archer  Walker,  captain. 

Wm.  Cresswell,  1st  lieut.  Jas.  Anderson,  1st  lieutenant. 

Thomas  Trollope,  2d    „  Robert  Moore,  2d  „ 

Eighth  Company. 
John  Percival,  captain.  John  M'Fie,  captain. 

Aaron  Eustace,  1st  lieutenant.  Sir  J.  Dalston,  Bart.,  1st  lieut. 
Thos.  Woodcock,  2d      „  Francis  Dogherty,  „ 

LIGHT  INFANTRY. 

W.  Souter,  captain.  Archibald  Campbell,  captain. 

W.  Pitcairne,  1st  lieutenant.     John  Dyer,  2d  lieutenant. 
Philip  Howe,  2d  „  N.  H.  Nicholas,  2d  lieutenant. 

Adjutants. 

John  Waller,  1st  lieutenant.      John  Fielding,  1st  lieutenant. 

Quartermasters. 

J.  Pitcairne,  1st  lieutenant.       Thomas  Smith,  1st  lieutenant. 


76  BUNKER  HILL. 

Captain  David  Johnston,  superintendent,  adjutant,  and 
deputy-paymaster  to  the  second  battalion. 

Hill,  surgeon  to  the  second  battalion  ;  William  Tervant 

and Silven,  surgeon's  mates. 

The  following  regulations  for  the  payment  of  companies 
were  notified  in  the  battalion  orders  of  the  3d  of  June  :  — 
"  The  Right  Honorable  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the 
Admiralty  having  directed,  by  their  letter  to  Major  Pitcairne, 
of  the  2d  of  March  last,  that  the  captain  of  marines  com- 
manding companies  on  shore  at  Boston  should  pay  their  com- 
panies in  the  same  manner  as  practised  by  the  land  forces, 
the  captains  or  commanding  officers  of  companies  will  receive 
from  Captain  Johnston,  deputy-paymaster,  one  month's  sub- 
sistence for  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  private  men  of 
their  respective  companies,  deducting  Is.  5^d.  per  week  each 
for  provisions  and  the  usual  stoppages,  as  directed  by  the  Ad- 
miralty, viz  :  — 

8.     d. 

For  one  serjeant,  per  week 0     2 

„     „     corporal  or  drummer    .     .     .     .     0     IJ 

„     ,,     private  man 0     1 

Dollars  to  be  taken  at 4     8 

Captains  are  to  give  the  deputy-paymaster  complete  monthly 
pay-rolls,  accounting  for  the  subsistence  distributed  to  their 
companies,  and  specifying  every  particular  casualty  that  has 
happened  in  each  company  during  the  preceding  month,  and 
to  commence  this  day." 


Cambridge :    Press  of  John  Wilson  &  Son. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


, 


-e^^ 


Mimrs^ 


^ 

^^^1^ 


RECCIR, 


LD  21A-50m-8,'57 
(C8481sl0)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


V 


225838 


